Following the recent publication of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 11908 or the Parent Effectiveness Service (PES) Program Act, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian meets with Bataan Provincial Governor Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia III on Tuesday (July 16) to discuss possible partnerships in advancing the implementation of the PES program.

Secretary Gatchalian expressed his interest to harmonize ‘Education for the Upbringing of Children (EduChild) Parenting Program’ modules with existing PES frameworks, leveraging technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Gov. Garcia, who authored the legislation when he was still a congressman, stressed that EduChild is a localized version of the PES Module designed to address needs and equip parents with effective child-rearing skills. It is tailored for implementation in Balanga City.

In a related agenda, Secretary Gatchalian discussed the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program, which is part of the Department’s efforts to support the educational needs of college students from state or local colleges and universities.

Under the program, parents and guardians of elementary student-beneficiaries attend parenting sessions on topics such as understanding the self as a parent, dynamics of the Filipino family, challenges in parenting, child development, and children’s rights, among others.

DSWD officials who attended the meeting were Undersecretary Monina Josefina Romualdez, Asst Secretary Ada Colico, and Program Management Director Edmon Monteverde. #