EXPLANATORY NOTE
This  bill  mandates the establishment of crisis centers for street children  all  over the
country.
The rights and welfare of Filipino children are governed  by several existing  laws and
policies on children such as the Republic Act No. 7610 also known as the Specf.a/ Profectr.on
of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act; F`epuhiic ^c+ No. 9231
also  known  as  the  Act   Prohibiting   Employment  of  Children   in   Hazardous  Areas.  and
Presidential  Decree No. 603 or the  Chi./d and Youth  We/fare Code.  Yet, there is no specific
law that addresses the special conditions and needs of the street children.
According  to  the  Council  for  the  Welfare  of  Children,  in  the  year  2000,  there  are
45,000 street children nationwide. 75 percent of them stay on the street most of the time; 20
percent  practically  live  on  the  streets  alone  or  with  their  family  and/or  friends;  and  the
remaining   5   percent   are   street   children   who   have   experienced   abuse   or  have   been
abandoned  and  are  engaged  in  illegal  activities.  National  and  local  government  agencies,
along with non-government organization, work hand in hand  in order to uplift the situation of
the Filipino street children. But there are numerous needs that have yet to be met.
Under this  bill,  the  crisis  centers to  be  established  in  every city or municipality shall
have  a  comprehensive  program  that  will  provide  various  assistances  such  as  temporary
shelter,   emergency  medical  and  feeding   programs  and   basic  education,   which  will   be
implemented  by the  Department of Social Welfare and  Development,  in  close  consultation
with the  local  government units  concerned.   Moreover,  this  measure will  assist in  providing
street children the  means to uplift their conditions and take them out of the streets through
programs that will equip them with livelihood, technical and social skills.
Finally,  this  proposed  measure  authorizes  the  acceptance  of donations  and  grants
from  local  and  international  organization  by  the  implementing  agency  to  supplement  the
appropriated funds for the establishment,  maintenance and  operation  of the street children
crisis centers. These funds will be distributed accordingly to the various crisis centers within
the  city  or  municipality,  The  additional  funds  will  ensure  that  a  higher  number  of  street
children will be provided the necessary attention and assistance.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
IGUEZ


NINETEENTH CONGRESS                  )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES    )
First Regular session                            )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced by Representative Rufus a. Rodriguez
House Bill No.  RE 2
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING   A  CRISIS   CENTER   FOR  STREET  CHILDREN   IN   ALL  CITIES  AND
MUNICIPALITIES   IN   THE   NATIONAL   CAPITAL   REGION   AND   IN   EVERY   HIGHLY
URBANIZED CITY IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
B_e it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Sfreef Chi'/dren Cry.si.s Center Act".
SEC. 2.  Declaration of Policy. - It is  hereby declared  as policy of the state to defend the
right of children to  assistance,  including  the  proper care  and  nutrition,  and  to  provide them
with  special  protection  against  all  forms  of  neglect,  abuse,  cruelty,  exploitation  and  other
conditions prejudicial to their development.
Towards this end,  there  is  hereby established  a  Crisis  Center for Street Children  in
every city or municipality in the  National Capital  Region and  in every highly urbanized  city in
Luzon,  Visayas  and  Mindanao.  Such  crisis  center  shall  serve  as  temporary  shelters  and
rehabilitation center for the street children.
SEC. 3. Definition Of Terms. -"Street Children" shall be defined as those persons below 18
years  of  age  and  roaming  in  the  streets  without  supervision  of  adults,  whether  parents,
relatives or friends.
SEC.  4.  Program  Framework.  - There  shall  be  a  comprehensive  program  for the  street
children which  the  crisis  center shall  provide.  Such  program  shall  include  but not  limited to
the following:
(a)         Emergency medical and feeding services;
(b)        Temporary shelter for street children who  have  been  separated from
their respective homes and who have been straying in the streets;
(c)         Basic educational, legal and counsel services;
(d)         Immediately   rehabilitation   program   for  street  children   identified   as
prohibited substance abusers;
(e)         Programs   geared   towards   the   acquisition   of   livelihood,   technical,
social  and  other  related  skills  which  would  help  the  street  become
productive members of society;
(f)          Support system provided by LGUs;
(g)         Referral    network   of   assistance   consisting   of   other   government
agencies;
(h)         Information,  education  and  communication  campaign  to  promote  the
objectives of this Act; and
(i)          Such other functions as may be necessary.
SEC.  5.  Implementing  Agency.  - The  program  shall  be  implemented  by  Department  of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in close coordination with the LGU's concerned.
J


The city or municipal officials may call upon private volunteers who are responsible of
the   community   and   utilize   them   to   assist   in   the   care   of  street   children   by   providing
consultative services for medical, educational, and other needs of the street children.
SEC.  6.  Functions  of  the  Department  of  Social  Welfare  and  Development.  -  The
Department shall:
(a)         formulate   the   criteria   for  the   selection   and   qualification   of  street
children who shall be covered by this Act;
(b)         provide   training   for   crisis   center   workers,   counselors   and   other
volunteers;
(c)         coordinate activities of non-government with the crisis center workers
and other social workers of the Department in order that their services
may be fully utilized for the attainment of the program goals; and,
(d)         Protect and assist abused, neglected or exploited children and secure
proper government assistance for said street children.
SEC. 7. Funds for the Crisis Center, Program and Crisis Center Workers. -
(a)         The  funds  for  the  establishment,  maintenance  and  operation  of  the
street  children  crisis  center  shall  be  appropriated  from  the  National
Budget and shall be included in the General Appropriations Act as part
of the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
(b)         A  portion  of  the  health  programs  available  to  the  Philippines  under
official  aid  or  official  debt  arrangements  from  foreign  countries,  the
amount  to  be  determined  by  the  Office  of  the  President,  shall  be
extended in support of the crisis centers.
SEC. 8. Authority to Accept Donations. - The DSWD may accept donations and grants,
both domestic and foreign, for purposes relevant to the functions of the crisis centers. These
donations  and  grants  shall  be  allocated  among  the  various  crisis  centers within  the  city or
municipality as may be deemed appropriate.
SEC.   9.   Sepairability   Clause.   -   lf  any   portion   or   provision   in   this   Act   be   declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision  not affected thereby shall remain
in force and effect.
SEC.  10.  Repealing  Clause.  -All  laws,  decrees,  rules  and  regulations,  and  executive
orders contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC.11. Effectivity clause. -This act shall take effect upon its approval and completion of
its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved'