The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Provincial Government of Bataan launched the “Stronger Homes, Stronger Communities: Bataan Local Chief Executives PES Training” at the Ascott Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Metro Manila on 19 September 2026.

The said prominent, high-level initiative acts as a major strategic rollout of Republic Act No. 11908, otherwise known as the Parent Effectiveness Service (PES) Program Act.

Even though the workshop specifically gathered and trained Bataan's local government executives—including Governor Joet Garcia, alongside the province's mayors, vice mayors, and board members—the physical event itself took place outside the province.

The said workshop aims to give Bataan’s local leaders a clear look at the national rollout modules for the PES Program Act (Republic Act No. 11908). The goal is to build strong parental frameworks at the grassroots level to protect children from modern safety threats like school place violence and online hazards.

Bataan Governor Joet Garcia originally authored and shepherded the PES law when he was in Congress, as the province partnered with EduChild Foundation to pioneer these parenting structures locally.

“Sa pamamagitan ng ating EduChild Program, patuloy nating binibigyan ang mga magulang na Bataeño ng kaalaman at kakayahang kailangan upang mas maayos na magabayan, maprotektahan, at maihanda ang kanilang mga anak sa mga hamon ng kasalukuyang panahon,” Garcia said.

He added, “Layunin nitong higit na maiugnay ang ating programa sa pagpapatupad ng PES at palakasin ang suporta ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa mga pamilyang kanilang nasasakupan.”

The governor stated that the government cannot address the challenges in education, mental wellness, child safety, bullying, online risks, and other challenges faced by the community alone, furthering that the cooperation of parents, barangay, school, daycare workers, and the local government are needed.

According to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the home is the first line of protection of the children. He also acknowledged the methods of Bataan in boosting the EduChild and PES as models that can be copied and utilized by other provinces.

During the event, the DSWD awarded the Province of Bataan the 2025 International Federation for Family Development Family Award as recognition for the province’s push for the rights and stability of the family thru the Bataan EduChild Parenting Program.

“Kapag matatag ang pamilya, mas ligtas ang ating mga anak, mas maayos ang komunidad, at mas matatag ang Bataan,” Garcia said.