SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
Tv 
^ rita fp
o f  tlie (5 % r r fla r |j
l'T-5 P3 :25
S. B. No.
SENATE
1189
:!z E
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ANA THERESIA “RISA” HONTIVEROS BARAQUEL
AN ACT PROMOTING POSITIVE AND NON-VIOLENT 
DISCIPLINE OF CHILDREN, PROHIBITING ALL FORMS OF 
CORPORAL PUNISHM ENT, HUM ILIATING AND DEGRADING 
TREATMENT, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
We made a promise. During the Universal Periodic Review of the Philippines in 
2012, the government expressed its commitment to prohibit all forms of corporal 
punishment in homes and other settings. Our legal framework currently recognizes the 
right of parents and guardians to “discipline” the child in child-rearing contexts, under 
values-formation pretexts. The Family Code recognizes the right and duty of those with 
parental authority over children “to impose discipline on them as may be required under 
the circumstances.” Likewise, the Child and Youth Welfare Code upholds the right of 
parents “to discipline the child as may be necessary for the formation of his good 
character.” The Code of Muslim Personal Laws, meanwhile, states that in relation to 
their children, parents have “the power to correct, discipline, and punish them 
moderately.” Under the Rules and Regulations on the Reporting and Investigation of 
Child Abuse Cases, discipline administered by a parent or legal guardian to a child does 
not constitute cruelty provided it is reasonable in manner and moderate in degree, not 
physical nor psychological.
However, even as the right to discipline a child be culturally accepted and legally 
recognized, the data on corporal punishment inflicted against young Filipinos paint a 
violent picture, that is prevalent and alarming, and still tolerated. In a study on the 
wellbeing and vulnerability of child domestic workers, 22% of child domestic workers in 
the Philippines said their employers physically punish them.1 In a study of the 
relationship between gender and physical punishment in China, Colombia, Italy, 
ilordan, Kenya, Philippines, Sweden, Thailand and the US, it was found out that 71% of 
Filipino girls and 77% of Filipino boys had experienced “mild” corporal punishment 
while nine per cent (9%) of girls and eight per cent (8%) of boys had experienced severe 
corporal punishment by someone in their own household in the past month.2 
In 
another suiwey, it was reported that of the 61.1% who had experienced physical 
punishment at home, 74.5% had been pinched, 49.7% beaten, 13.9% slapped, 3.6% 
kicked and 3% punched. The most common reasons cited for being physically punished 
were disobedience, by 35.6% of children who had been punished, and being “pasaway” 
or naughty by 35.3%.3 As another study suggests, these acts of violence against children 
are usually inflicted under the guise of “discipline”.^
Anti-Slaverylnternational(2013),/l(Jiiic I ruths: U'L'Ilhcini’diulviilncrdhililic.'io/cliiUklonu’slicworkL'rs.London: AnU- 
Slavery International
■ Lansford, J.et al (2010),“Corporal Punishment of Children in Nine Countries as a I'tinetion of Child Gender and Parent 
Gendev".Inlcnidlioiidl Joid iidl of PeJidIrics
Sanapo, M. and Nakaniiira,Y.(2010).“Gender and Physieal PunishmentG'heFilipinoChildren’s E)(.pcr\cncc'\Child Abuse 
Review, published online in Wiley Online Library DOI: 10.1002/ear.l 148 
Plan Philippines {2Q09),Towdnl u ChiUl-Frieiully lulueuliou Envirouuieut-A Buseliue Study an I'ioleiiee Ayaiiist Childreu 
iu Puhlie Sehools olan-intei’liat ion a I oi'v/learnwithoi n I ear/11 le‘^/r>lii 1 innine.;-lir\r/aivt_a_eti 11.LIVienrll 
i.MK.n wi.-.Mii.-ioi-.*


These reports have shown that nearly one child in every ten experience harsh physical 
discipline. They are burnt, beaten up, kicked and smothered. More than seven out of ten 
experience harsh psychological discipline. They are called names, cursed and threatened 
with abandonment. Almost nine out of ten suffer from “moderate” psychological 
discipline. They are yelled at or screamed at after being refused food.s
Corporal punishment may have been normalized by general practice and apparent 
cultural approval, but imposing physical, verbal, psychological cruelty on children 
creates injuries that can affect their emotional and mental development and can haunt 
and scar them for life. In some cases, it may already be abuse. Child abuse must not be, 
under any circumstances, committed under the pretence of legitimate exercise of 
parental authority. Children should not be raised in a cruel environment. Punishments 
should be corrective, not violent.
Indeed, there is a need to rethink the way our culture and our laws have allowed us to 
raise our children. This Positive Discipline Bill seeks to explicitly prohibit corporal 
punishment in all settings, including homes, schools, work places and places of 
detention. It also aims to advocate for non-violent forms of corrective measures that 
uphold the right of the parent to discipline their children in a manner that does not 
diminish the integrity and dignity of a child.
In 2012, we made a promise to end corporal punishment and continue to protect the 
rights and welfare of our children. It is 2016. Let the passage of this bill be the fulfilment 
of that promise.
ANA THERESIA “RISA” HONMVEROS BARAQUEL
Senator
Runyan, D. et al (2010), “International Variations in Harslt Child Discipline”, Pediatrics, published online 2 August


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
f t h r .^ ' 11 T f '- m j
*16 OCT-5 P3 25
SENATE
S. B. No. 1189
Kl' -
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ANA THERESIA “RISA” HONTIVEROS BARAQUEL
AN ACT PROMOTING POSITIVE AND NON-VIOLENT 
DISCIPLINE OF CHILDREN, PROHIBITING ALL FORMS OF 
CORPORAL PUNISHM ENT, HUM ILIATING AND DEGRADING 
TREATMENT, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
SEC. 1. S h o rt Title. -  This Act shall be known as the “Positive Discipline Act of 
2 0 1 6 ”.
SEC. 2. D e c la ra tio n  o f  P olicy. -  The State recognizes the vital role of 
children and youth in nation building and shall promote and protect their 
physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social wellbeing. Pursuant thereto, no 
child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment 
or punishment. Such treatment or punishment violates the rights of the child, 
their human dignity and physical integrity.
As such, the State shall:
(a) Promote positive and non-violent discipline of children at home, in school, in 
institutions, in alternative care systems, in workplaces and in all other settings; 
and establish the necessary structures and mechanisms and mobilize resources to 
make this possible;
(b) Defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and 
nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, 
exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development;
(c) Protect the best interests of the child through measures that will ensure the 
observance of international standards of child protection, especially those 
expressed in international conventions and treaties to which the Philippines is a 
party of;
(d) Respect the responsibilities, rights and duties of parents, guardians or other 
persons legally responsible for the child, including those exercising special or 
substitute parental authority, to provide, in a manner consistent with the 
evolving capacities of the child, appropriate direction and guidance in the 
exercise of the children’s rights;
(e) Assist parents in the fulfilment of their parental obligations;


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10 
11 
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
(f) Ensure that school discipline is administered in a manner consistent with the 
child’s human dignity; and
(g) Protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury from 
abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including 
sexual abuse, while in the custody of parents, guardians or any other person 
under whose care the child is entrusted. Such protective measures shall include 
effective procedures for the establishment of social programs to provide 
necessary support for the child and for those who care for the child, as well as for 
other forms of prevention and for identification, reporting, referral, investigation, 
treatment and follow-up of instances of child maltreatment, and, as appropriate, 
for legal or judicial action.
SEC. 3. D efinition o f Term s. -
As used in this Act:
(a) Child refers to a person who is below eighteen (18) years of age, or one over 18 
but is unable to fully take care of one’s self or protect one’s self from abuse, 
neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental 
disability or condition.
(b) Corporal punishment relbrs to an act or acts which involve physical force and 
humiliating or degrading acts imposed upon a child as punishment for an alleged 
or actual offense inflicted by an adult or by another child, who has been given or 
has assumed authority or responsibility for punishment or discipline. It includes 
physical, humiliating or degrading forms of punishment such as:
a. blows including beating, kicking, slapping, lashing on any part of a child’s 
body, with or without the use of an instrument such as cane, broom, stick, 
whip or belt;
b. pulling hair, shaking, twisting joints, cutting or piercing skin, dragging or 
throwing a child;
c. forcing a child, through the use of power, authority or threats, to perform 
physically painful or damaging acts, such as holding a weight or weights for 
an extended period; kneeling on stones, salt or pebbles;
d. refusal to provide the child’s physical needs;
e. use of or exposure to substances that can cause discomfort or threaten the 
child’s health including fire, ice, water, smoke, pepper, alcohol, or 
dangerous chemicals such as bleach or insecticides, excrement, or urine;
f. tying up a ehild;
g. imprisoning a child;
h. verbal abuse, or assaults including intimidation or threat of bodily harm, 
swearing or cursing, ridiculing or denigrating the child;
i. making a child look or feel foolish in front of one’s peers or the public such 
as shaving his or her hair; and
j. other analogous acts.
(c) Foster parents refer to persons duly licensed by the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide planned, temporary, or substitute 
parental care to children.
(d) Guardians refer to legal guardians and other persons, including relatives, 
with physical custody of the child.


3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10 
11 
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
2
(e) Institutions refer to residential and nonresidential child-caring agencies, 
including youth homes, youth rehabilitation centers, drop-in centers, temporary 
shelters and orphanages; and churches or religious centers, including places of 
worship and parish centers.
(f) Parents refer to biological parents, stepparents, adoptive parents, and the 
common-law spouse or partner of the parent.
(g) Persons legally responsible for the child, including those exercising special or 
substitute parental authority refer to those provided for under Presidential 
Decree No. 603, otherwise known as Child and Youth Welfare Code as amended. 
Executive Order No. 209 otherwise known as Family Code of the Philippines as 
amended, and Republic Act No. 7610 otherwise known as Special Protection of 
Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, as amended.
(h) Positive and non-violent discipline refers to a holistic, constructive and pro­
active approach to parenting or teaching that helps children develop appropriate 
thinking and behavior in the short and long terms. It is based on the principles of 
children’s rights, child development and effective teaching.
(i) Service providers refer to persons who, whether in public or private settings, 
provide services to children. These include social workers, center administrators 
and personnel, interns, parent—teacher association officers, house parents, health 
care providers, day care workers, volunteers, security guards in schools and 
centers, guards in a youth detention home, law enforcement officers, barangay 
officials and tanods, and jail officers.
(j) School teacher, personnel, and officers refer to persons exercising authority 
over students, including administrators, student teachers, guidance counselors, 
prefects of discipline, instructors, school personnel, scout masters, and Citizen’s 
Advancement Training (CAT) and Citizen’s Military Training (CMT) or Reserved 
Officers Training Corps (ROTC) commandants, tactical officers and student 
officers.
(k) Yayas, house helpers and caregivers refer to domestic workers who have 
direct contact with the child.
SEC. 4. Promotion of Techniques on Positive and Non-Violent Discipline — A 
comprehensive program shall be formulated and implemented to promote 
positive and non-violent discipline instead of corporal punishment of children. A 
continuing information dissemination campaign shall be conducted nationwide 
on how to practice positive discipline.
The positive and non-violent ways of disciplining children shall include:
(a) Acting as a positive role model to children and assuming the role of a 
mentor or guide rather than someone who owns and controls children;
(b) Using difficult or challenging situations with children as an opportunity 
to teach values and skills including how to manage stress, communicate 
respectfully, handle conflict without hitting, consider other people’s 
feelings, and achieve goals without physically or emotionally harming 
others;


2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10 
11 
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
(c) Providing warmth to children such as showing that they are still loved 
even when they made a mistake, spending time with them, comforting 
them when they are hurt or afraid, listening to them, looking at the 
situation from their point of view, encouraging and motivating them when 
they are facing difficult or challenging situations, and recognizing their 
efforts and successes;
(d) Providing structure such as setting and explaining rules and hearing 
their point of view, setting clear guidelines for behavior, preparing children 
for difficult situations by telling them what to expect and how they can 
cope, helping them find ways to fix their mistakes, teaching them about the 
effects of their actions on other people, and giving them the information 
they need to make good decisions;
(e) Controlling anger and avoiding threats of hitting, taking away love, 
scaring them with monsters or other things that children are fearful of, as a 
way to control or correct children’s behavior;
(f) Considering the children’s capacity, interests and need for support 
aecording to their stages of development;
(g) Taking a problem-solving approach by ensuring that these processes 
are observed:
(1) it leads to achievement of long-term goals for the child;
(2) the child is assured of the adult’s love, respect and support;
(3) child and adult both reflect on the causes and consequences of 
the problem, and discuss and agree on possible solutions; and
(4) the solutions identified address the root cause of the problems 
and are appropriate to the child’s level of understanding and 
development;
(h) Other similar ways of promoting positive and non-violent discipline 
approach.
SEC. 5. P ro h ib itio n  o f C o rp o ral P u n ish m en t. — Corporal punishment of 
children as defined in Sec. 3 (b) is hereby prohibited in homes, schools, 
institutions, alternative care systems, workplaces, the juvenile welfare system, 
places of religious worship, and in all other settings.
Parents, yayas, house helpers and caregivers, foster parents, guardians, relatives 
who have custody of the child, or other persons legally responsible for the child, 
including those exercising special or substitute parental authority, school 
teachers, personnel, and officers of both public and private academic and 
vocational institutions, employers and supeiwisors, service providers, priests, 
nuns, pastors and other members of religious congregations or churches, or any 
other person under whose care the child has been entrusted to and who inflicts 
corporal punishment on the child, or causes another to inflict corporal 
punishment on the child, shall be liable in accordance with existing penal laws.
SEC. 6. Penalties. The penalties under existing penal laws shall be imposed in 
the maximum period, except where a higher penalty is provided for under Act No. 
3815, as amended, otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code, under Republic 
Act No. 7610, otherwise known as Special Protection of Children Against Abuse,


3
4
5
6
7
8 
9 
10 
1 I 
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
2
Exploitation and Discrimination Act, or under Republic Act No. 9262, otherwise 
known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act.
If the act is not penalized under the abovementioned laws, the penalty shall be 
arresto mayor in its maximum period.
SEC. 7. In terv en tio n s. If the penalty imposed is higher than arresto mayor, 
the offender/violator shall also: (1) undergo seminars on positive discipline, 
anger management and children’s rights; (2) undergo counselling or therapy; 
and, (3) be directed to avail of other rehabilitative services if necessary.
If the penalty imposable for the act is only arresto menor or arresto mayor, the 
prosecutor may, instead of filing the case, refer the accused to the local Social 
Welfare and Development Office (SWDO) for assessment and intervention such 
as seminars and counselling on children’s rights and positive and non-violent 
discipline of children, anger management, and referrals to other rehabilitative 
services: Provided, That the offender has not been previously charged under this 
Act.
SEC. 8. S u sp en sio n  o f P a re n ta l A u th o rity . If the offender is a person 
exercising parental authority but is not a parent, and has been previously charged 
under this Act, the court may suspend parental authority in accordance with the 
Family Code of the Philippines, as amended.
SEC. 9. In te rv e n tio n s f o r  a  P a re n t ivho is a n  O ffender. If the offender is 
a parent of the child, the prosecutor shall refer the parent to the local SWDO for 
assessment and intervention such as seminars and counselling on children’s 
rights and positive and non-violent discipline of children, anger management, 
and referral to other providers of rehabilitative services.
SEC. 10. O th er R em edies. — The remedies available to the victim under 
Republic Act No. 7610 and Republic Act No. 9262 shall be available to the child 
where applicable.
SEC. 11. R ep o rtin g . — All instances of corporal punishment of children 
brought to the attention of the barangay or the police, or a healthcare provider, 
shall be reported to the local SWDO within eight (8) hours from the time of the 
complaint, without prejudice to the continuation of the investigation or the filing 
of the appropriate criminal case. Failure to report within the prescribed period 
shall be a ground for administrative action against the barangay official or police 
officer, or healthcare provider. Provided, that any person who is found to have 
reported a case of corporal punishment that is proven baseless or malicious shall 
be criminally, civilly, or administratively liable.
SEC. 12. P erso n s In te rv e n in g  E xem pt fro m  L iability. -  In every case of 
corporal punishment, any person who, acting in good faith, responds or 
intervenes without using violence or restraint greater than necessary to ensure 
the safety of the victim, shall not be criminally, civilly, or administratively liable.
SEC. 13. W ho M ay File a  C om plaint. -  Complaints on acts of corporal 
punishment against a child may be filed by the following:
(a) Offended party assisted by an adult;
(b) Parent or guardian;


3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10 
1 I 
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
2
(c) Ascendant or collateral relative within the third degree of consanguinity 
or affinity;
(d) Officer, social worker or representative of a licensed child-caring 
institution;
(e) Officer or social worker of the DSWD or the local SWDO;
(f) Police officer;
(g) The National Bureau of Investigation;
(h) Barangay official; 
1
(i) Teacher, non-governmental organization (NGO) worker, health 
provider, day care worker; or
G) At least two (2) concerned persons from the place where the act 
occurred who have personal knowledge of the act.
SEC. 14. Ju risd ic tio n . -  The Regional Trial Court (RTC) designated as a 
Family Court shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction over cases of corporal 
punishment of children. In the absence of such court in the place where the 
offense was committed, the case shall be filed with the RTC in the place where the 
crime or any of its elements was committed at the option of the complainant.
SEC. 15. C onjidcnliality. -  All records pertaining to cases of corporal 
punishment of children, including those in the barangay, the police, school, or 
public or private healthcare facility shall be kept confidential and the right to 
privacy of the victim shall be respected.
Whoever publishes or causes to be published, in any format, the name, address, 
telephone number, school or any identifying information of a victim or 
immediate fomily member of the victim, without consent, shall be penalized with 
a fine of not more than two hundred thousand pesos (P 200,000.00).
SEC. 16. D uties a n d  R esponsib ilities o f G o v ern m en t A gencies. —
(a) The DSWD, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), other 
relevant government agencies, the private sector, including academic institutions, 
NGOs, 
and 
parents-teachers-community 
associations 
shall 
formulate 
a 
comprehensive program to promote the positive and non-violent discipline of 
children and the prevention of the use of corporal punishment on children. The 
program shall include capacity building of service providers, parenting education 
on positive and non-violent discipline of children, child-friendly reporting 
mechanisms, child protection services and support, and documentation, data 
management and monitoring systems.
(b) The DSWD shall integrate positive and non-violent discipline of children in 
the training of officials and staff of child-caring institutions. It shall ensure that 
officials and staff of institutions do not use corporal punishment on any child 
under their custody. It shall also ensure that appropriate action is taken against 
erring officials and staff of the institutions.
(c) The DSWD shall integrate positive discipline in the capacity building activities 
for the local SWDO to enable them to provide counselling and appropriate 
intervention program for both offended child and offender.
(d) All local SWDOs shall adopt and implement programs and services to 
promote the positive discipline of children and the prevention of the use of 
corporal punishment on children. They shall also provide assistance to victims of 
corporal punishment and their families. It shall, together with the DSWD and the


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10 
11 
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
Local Government Units (LGUs), ensure the delivery of intervention programs 
such as seminars and counselling for offenders.
(e) The local SWDO shall immediately conduct an assessment of every reported 
instance of corporal punishment on a child, and determine the appropriate 
interventions, considering the best interest of the child at all times. The 
assessment shall be completed within three (3) calendar days, without prejudice 
to the conduct of a more comprehensive case study report. The interventions may 
include psychosocial interventions for the child and the fomily; protective 
custody by the social worker; temporary placement for the child; medical and 
legal services; counselling and seminars on children’s rights, positive and non­
violent discipline of children and anger management; and referrals to other 
rehabilitative services for the perpetrator. The assessment shall be conducted and 
interventions shall be provided by the local SWDO whether or not a criminal case 
is filed.
(f) The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) shall disseminate all relevant 
information on this Act among concerned government agencies and entities. It 
shall monitor the enforcement of this Act and the implementation of all programs 
and services provided for under this Act. It shall also mobilize the different inter­
agency mechanisms within its national and local structures to support the 
implementation of programs and services.
(g) The DepEd shall integrate positive and non-violent discipline of children in 
the training of school officials, teachers and personnel. It shall ensure that school 
officials, teachers and personnel do not use corporal punishment on any pupil or 
student. It shall also ensure that appropriate administrative action is taken 
against erring school officials, teachers and personnel.
The DepEd shall also integrate discussions on corporal punishment and positive 
discipline in the curriculum of students to make children aware of their rights.
(h) The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education 
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) shall integrate positive and non­
violent discipline of children in the curricula of education, psychology, social 
work, and other disciplines related to child work. They shall also ensure that 
appropriate administrative action is taken against erring school officials, teachers 
and personnel.
(i) The LGUs shall mobilize, strengthen and support local structures, such as the 
Local Councils for the Protection of Children, local special bodies, Lupong 
Tagapamayapa, and children’s welfare and protection organizations in 
facilitating the reporting of, prevention of, and response to instances of corporal 
punishment, and promotion of positive discipline in their respective localities. It 
shall, together with the DSWD and the local SWDO, ensure the deliveiy of 
intervention programs such as seminars and counselling for offenders.
Ci) Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPC) shall support programs 
that promote the positive and non-violent discipline of children, prevent the use 
of corporal punishment on children, and coordinate with the local SWDO in 
responding to such cases.
(k) The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall make the 
attendance of employers to positive discipline trainings as a prerequisite for the 
issuance of employment permits for children.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10 
11 
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
(l) The Philippine National Poliee (PNP) shall promote positive discipline and 
non-violent ways of treating and handling children during arrest and while in 
detention. It shall ensure that officials and staff do not use corporal punishment 
and humiliating and degrading punishment on any child under their custody. It 
shall integrate into their training curriculum the training of all police officers on 
child-friendly and child-sensitive procedures in handling children, and 
coordinate closely with government and private organizations for effective 
investigation of cases.
(m) The Sangguniang Kabataau (SK) shall include in its programs the 
prevention of corporal punishment on children.
(n) The DSWD shall seek assistance Irom other relevant government agencies 
such as the Department ot Justice (DOJ), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), 
19 Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and the National Commission on 
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to perform specific duties for the implementation of 
this Act.
SEC. 
17. A pjjr o p r ia lions. -  The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of 
the DSWD, the DepEd, the TESDA , and the CHED. Thereafter, the amount 
needed for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. For LGUs, the implementation of the 
programs may be charged against the internal revenue allotment and other 
internally generated funds of the LGU concerned.
SEC. 18. Im p lem en tin g  R ules a n d  R eg u latio n s. -  The DSWD, in 
consultation with the CWC, DepEd, CHED, TESDA, Department of the Interior 
and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), other relevant 
government agencies, LGUs, NGOs, and at least two (2) child focused 
organizations, shall promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) 
of this Act within six (6) months from its approval. It shall likewise ensure that 
techniques in, and examples of practicing positive discipline shall be extensively 
enumerated, described, and explained in the IRR.
SEC. 19. S u p p leto ry  A pplieation. -  For purposes of this Act, the Revised 
Penal Code, as amended, the Child and Youth Welfare Code, as amended, and 
other applicable laws shall have suppletory application.
SEC. 20. S e p a ra b ility  C lause. -  If any section or provision of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions shall not be affected.
SEC. 21. R ep ealin g  C lause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders 
and rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 22. E Jfectivity C lause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,