01/08/2026
No Parent Should Have to Choose Between Earning a Living and Keeping Their Child Safe: House Bill 9652 Champions Full Shift Public Child Minding Facilities Nationwide
A viral photo online shows a delivery rider pulled over on the side of the road, anxiously checking a live CCTV feed on his smartphone just to monitor his young child while working. It is an image that broke hearts across social media, yet no one can blame a parent who works tirelessly to keep food on the table.
For millions of Filipino workers, gig economy drivers, and informal sector earners, balancing daily survival with the physical safety of their toddlers is not a choice, it is a constant, agonizing compromise.
House Bill No. 9652, titled the Comprehensive Child Minding Support Act of 2026, introduced by Representatives Omar Vincent S. Duterte and Paolo Z. Duterte, directly addresses this painful reality by establishing safe, state licensed, and heavily subsidized Child Minding Facilities (CMFs) in every city and municipality across the country. Unlike traditional daycare centers, which focus on brief 2 to 4 hour pre K lessons for 3 to 5 year olds, these CMFs act as dedicated full day labor support systems. They cater to infants and toddlers aged 6 months up to 4 years old and are mandated to remain open for at least 11 consecutive hours daily to cover full work shifts and long commutes.
No parent should have to worry about their child's safety while trying to earn a living, the bill emphasizes. By transforming childcare into an accessible public utility, we protect our most vulnerable toddlers and give working parents the support and peace of mind they deserve.