NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No._________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The first six years of life are known as the formative years.  The kind and quality of 
care given during this period is, therefore, very crucial. 
The parents, under normal circumstances, play a major role in enriching the child’s 
environment as the primary sources of learning and developmental experiences.  However, 
this may not be the case in over seventy percent of the Filipino homes where many poor 
parents have insufficient resources, knowledge, and opportunities to promote early childhood 
training. 
The increasing number of street children, the low achievement levels in elementary 
education despite huge investments by the Government, and the inability of many young 
children to complete schooling are among the problems attributed to inadequate parental 
guidance and attention. 
Mothers may become so preoccupied with office or farm work that they can no longer 
attend to the needs of their children.  In families where there are many children, mothers may 
not be able to attend to the needs of their pre-school children as priority has to be given to the 
care of infants and younger children. 
It is for these reasons that Women’s Community Support Centers are sought to be 
established.  The centers will not only provide substitute maternal care for children, but would 
also serve as a center through which the livelihood programs, literacy programs and the 
population programs of the Government may be brought to the grassroots.  It is hoped that 
the centers may serve as a complete support system for working women.  
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
November 24, 2022
6:08 pm
6393


NINETEENTH CONGRESS  
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION  
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No._________ 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND CRISIS ASSISTANCE CENTERS FOR 
WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN EVERY PROVINCE AND CITY OF THE COUNTRY, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8505, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE “RAPE VICTIM ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION ACT OF 1998” 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Section 1 of Republic Act No. 8505 shall be amended to read as follows: 
“SECTION 1. 
Title.  –  This Act shall be known as the [“Rape Victim 
Assistance and Protection Act of 1998”] RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND 
CRISIS ASSISTANCE FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN ACT.” 
SEC. 2. 
Section 2 of the same Act is hereby also amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy.  –  It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to [provide necessary assistance and protection for rape victims] VALUE 
THE DIGNITY OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN, DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS, AND 
RECOGNIZE THEIR ROLE IN NATION-BUILDING AND ALL OTHER 
IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO PROTECT THEM. 
Towards this end, the [government shall coordinate its various agencies and non-
government organizations to work hand in hand for the establishment and 
operation of a rape crisis center in every province and city that shall assist and 
protect rape victims in the litigation of their cases and their recovery.]  STATE 
SHALL ENSURE THE PROTECTION OF THEIR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND 
SHALL PROVIDE THEM WITH FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL 
ENHANCE THEIR WELFARE AND ENABLE THEM TO REALIZE THEIR FULL 
POTENTIALS IN THE SERVICE OF THE NATION.  THE STATE SHALL ALSO 
ENDEAVOR TO PROVIDE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WITH UTMOST 
SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE WHICH SHALL INCLUDE AMONG OTHERS, 
LEGAL 
SERVICES, 
LIVELIHOOD 
AND 
SKILLS 
DEVELOPMENT, 
PSYCHOLOGICAL 
COUNSELLING 
AND 
ALL 
OTHER 
ASSISTANCE 
NECESSARY TO PROTECT THEM AGAINST ALL FORMS OF NEGLECT, 
ABUSE, CRUELTY, EXPLOITATION AND OTHER ACTS PREJUDICIAL TO 
THEIR WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT.”  
SEC. 3. 
Section 3 of the same Act is likewise amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 3. 
[Rape] RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND Crisis ASSISTANCE 
CenterS.  –  [The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the 
Department of Health (DOH), the Department of the Interior and Local Government 
(DILG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and a lead non-government organization 
(NGO) with proven track record or experience in handling sexual abuse cases, 
shall establish in every province and city a rape crisis center located in a 
6393


government hospital or health clinic or in any other suitable place for the purpose 
of:  
“(a) Providing rape victims with psychological counselling, medical and 
health services, including their  medico-legal examination; 
“(b) Securing free legal assistance or service, when necessary, for rape 
victims; 
“(c) Assisting rape victims in the investigation to hasten the arrest of 
offenders and the filing of cases in court; 
“(d) Ensuring the privacy and safety of rape victims;  
“(e) Providing psychological counselling and medical services whenever 
necessary for the family of rape victims; 
“(f) Developing and undertaking a training program for law enforcement 
officers, public prosecutors, lawyers,      medico-legal officers, social workers, and 
barangay officials on human rights and responsibilities; gender sensitivity and legal 
management of rape cases; and  
“(g) Adopting and implementing programs for the recovery of rape victims.  
“The DSWD shall be the lead agency in the establishment and operation of 
the Rape Crisis Center.] 
“THERE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND 
CRISIS ASSISTANCE CENTERS FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN EVERY 
PROVINCE AND CITY OF THE COUNTRY, HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS 
THE “CENTERS”. THESE CENTERS SHALL BE UNDER THE MANAGEMENT 
AND SUPERVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND 
DEVELOPMENT (DSWD) IN CONSULTATION WITH CONCERNED LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs). 
“(A) COMPOSITION OF THE INTER-AGENCY COUNCIL TO BE KNOWN 
AS THE ADVISORY COUNCIL.  –  AN               INTER-AGENCY COUNCIL 
SHALL BE CONVENED TO SET THE CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF 
THE SITES OF THE CENTERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TAKING INTO 
CONSIDERATION 
THE 
EXISTING 
FACILITIES 
OF 
THE 
NATIONAL 
GOVERNMENT 
AND 
LGUs, 
NONGOVERNMENT 
AND 
RELIGIOUS 
ORGANIZATIONS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT.  THE 
COUNCIL SHALL BE COMPOSED OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES 
FROM THE DSWD, THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT (DILG), THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH), THE 
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ), THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND 
INDUSTRY (DTI), THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED), THE 
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT (DOLE), THE NATIONAL 
ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (NEDA), THE PHILIPPINE 
COMMISSION ON WOMEN (PCW), THE NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION 
(NYC), THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
AUTHORITY (TESDA), THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN CONCERNS DIVISION 
OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (WCCD/PNP), THE COMMISSION ON 
HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) AND NONGOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE’S 
ORGANIZATIONS DULY ACCREDITED BY NATIONAL GOVERNMENT 
AGENCIES, SHALL BE INCLUDED AS MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY 
COUNCIL.  THE INTER-AGENCY COUNCIL, DULY CHAIRED BY THE DSWD, 
SHALL ALSO ACT AS AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO OVERSEE THE 
EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CENTERS’ PROGRAMS. 
“(B) FUNCTIONS OF THE CENTERS.  –   THE CENTERS SHALL HAVE 
THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS TO ENSURE COMPREHENSIVE AND 
INTEGRATED SERVICES: 
“(1) TO SERVE AS THE VENUE FOR CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING, 
CAPABILITY-BUILDING AND FUNCTIONAL LITERACY ENHANCEMENT 


PROGRAMS, 
AMONG 
OTHERS, 
THAT 
WILL 
ENHANCE 
PUBLIC 
AWARENESS OF ISSUES AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION; 
“(2) TO 
UNDERTAKE 
PROGRAMS 
GEARED 
TOWARDS 
THE 
DEVELOPMENT OF MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE, SELF-
ENHANCEMENT AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS FOR LIVELIHOOD 
GENERATION, SOCIAL COMMUNICATION, AND OTHER RELATED SKILLS 
WHICH WILL HELP WOMEN AND CHIDREN TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE 
MEMBERS OF SOCIETY; 
“(3) TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE 
INCLUDING MEDICO-LEGAL EXAMINATIONS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL 
COUNSELLING TO VICTIMS OF RAPE AND OTHER CASES OF VIOLENCE 
AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN ENSURING THEIR PRIVACY AND 
SAFETY; 
“(4) TO UNDERTAKE ACTIVITIES RELATED TO MORAL RECOVERY 
AND 
GENDER-SENSITIVE 
VALUES 
FORMATION, 
COUNSELLING, 
REHABILITATION AND PSYCHOSOCIAL PROGRAMS; 
“(5) TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY SHELTER TO ABUSED WOMEN AND 
THEIR CHILDREN; 
“(6) TO ASSIST RAPE VICTIMS OR VICTIMS OF OTHER FORMS OF 
ABUSES IN THE INVESTIGATION TO HASTEN THE ARREST OF 
OFFENDERS AND THE FILING OF CASES IN COURT;  
“(7) TO PROVIDE PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELLING AND MEDICAL 
SERVICES WHEN NECESSARY FOR THE FAMILY OF RAPE VICTIMS OR 
VICTIMS OF OTHER FORMS OF ABUSES; 
“(8) TO PROVIDE SKILLS TRAINING OR LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE TO 
SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE;  
“(9) TO STRENGTHEN AND FACILITATE LINKAGES OF WOMEN’S 
AND CHILDREN’S GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS WITH RELEVANT 
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND LGUs TO MAXIMIZE THE DELIVERY OF 
BASIC AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND 
ADVOCATE FOR THE PROTECTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF THEIR 
RIGHTS; 
“(10) TO DEVELOP AND UNDERTAKE A CONTINUING CAPACITY-
BUILDING 
AND 
TRAINING 
PROGRAM 
FOR 
FRONTLINE 
SERVICE 
PROVIDERS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LAW ENFORCEMENT 
OFFICERS, 
PUBLIC 
PROSECUTORS, 
LAWYERS, 
MEDICO-LEGAL 
OFFICERS, 
PSYCHOLOGISTS, 
DEVELOPMENT 
WORKERS, 
SOCIAL 
WORKERS, HEALTH WORKERS, THERAPISTS AND BARANGAY OFFICIALS 
ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES; GENDER SENSITIVITY AND 
LEGAL/CASE MANAGEMENT OF SITUATIONS/CASES INVOLVING WOMEN 
AND CHILDREN; AND  
“(11) TO PERFORM SUCH OTHER FUNCTIONS AS MAY BE 
NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS ACT.  
“(C) CLIENTS OF THE CENTERS.  –  ALL WOMEN AND CHILREN 
UNDER THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL BE ENTITLED TO 
PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE BY THE CENTERS: 
“(1) VICTIMS OF PROSTITUTION AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION; 
“(2) VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ABUSE AND BATTERY; 
“(3) VICTIMS OF RAPE, INCEST, SEXUAL ABUSE, HARASSMENT OR 
MOLESTATION;  
“(4) VICTIMS OF ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT, TRAFFICKING AND/OR 
LABOR EXPLOITATION;  
“(5) VICTIMS OF ARMED CONFLICT, NATURAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL 
DISASTERS WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM TRAUMA DUE TO THE TRAGIC 


DEATH OR DISPLACEMENT OF FAMILY MEMBERS, DISLOCATION OR 
LOSS OF LIVELIHOOD;  
“(6) ABANDONED AND RUN-AWAY WOMEN AND CHILDREN; 
“(7) WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN DETENTION; 
“(8) VICTIMS OF ANY FORM OF VIOLENCE AND SUFFERING FROM 
ANY CRISIS SITUATION; 
“(9) VICTIMS 
SUFFERING 
FROM 
MENTAL, 
EMOTIONAL, 
PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES NEEDING SPECIAL 
SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE; AND  
“(l0) VICTIMS OF OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES AS MAY BE DETERMINED 
BY THE DSWD. 
“(D) PERSONNEL/STAFF COMPLEMENT OF THE CENTERS.  –  EACH 
CENTER SHALL BE HEADED BY A FEMALE DIRECTOR WHO HOLDS A 
BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK OR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 
OR SIMILAR COURSES, HAS A MINIMUM EXPERIENCE OF FIVE (5) YEARS 
IN COUNSELLING, SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES AND OTHER 
RELATED FIELD OR EXPERIENCE, AND POSSESSES A PROVEN TRACK 
RECORD AS AN ADVOCATE OF WOMEN’S ISSUES AND EXPERTISE IN 
GENDER-RESPONSIVE TRAININGS AND PROGRAMS FOR CAPABILITY-
BUILDING AND IS OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER. 
“THE SECRETARY OF THE DSWD, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE 
HEADS OF THE CONCERNED LGU SHALL APPOINT THE DIRECTOR AND 
OTHER NECESSARY PERSONNEL OF THE CENTERS.  THE STAFF 
COMPLEMENT OF THE CENTERS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL 
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT (DBM). 
“VOLUNTEERS 
FROM 
THE 
VARIOUS 
NONGOVERNMENT 
ORGANIZATIONS 
MAY 
EXTEND 
PROFESSIONAL, 
HOUSEHOLD, 
RECREATIONAL 
AND 
TRAINING 
EXPERTISE 
TO 
THE 
CENTERS.  
STUDENTS OF SOCIAL WORK AND WOMEN STUDIES AND OTHER 
RELATED PROGRAMS WHO ARE IN PRACTICUM COURSES MAY RENDER 
VOLUNTARY SERVICES TO THE CENTERS. THE PERSONNEL AND STAFF 
AS WELL AS VOLUNTEER WORKERS SHALL UNDERGO REGULAR 
TRAININGS ON HOW BEST TO HANDLE THE DIFFERENT SITUATIONS OF 
THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE CENTERS.” 
 
SEC. 4. 
Republic Act No. 8505 is hereby further amended by inserting the following new 
Sections after Section 3 thereof:  
“SEC. 4. REHABILITATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.  –   THE 
DSWD, 
IN 
CONSULTATION 
WITH 
THE 
INTER-AGENCY 
COUNCIL 
CONVENED UNDER SECTION 3(A) HEREOF, SHALL WITHIN SIX (6) 
MONTHS FROM THE APPROVAL OF THIS ACT, FORMULATE A PROGRAM 
FOR THE REHABILITATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION OF WOMEN 
AND CHILDREN, MENTIONED IN SECTION 3(B) HEREOF.  THE COUNCIL 
SHALL ALSO OVERSEE THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 
PROGRAMS OF THE CENTERS AND MONITOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS 
OF PARTICIPATING AGENCIES.  IT SHALL ALSO ACT AS AN ADVISORY 
BOARD.  
“THE DSWD MAY CALL ON NATIONAL AGENCIES AND LGUS, 
ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO 
ASSIST IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT BY WAY OF PROGRAM 
COLLABORATION AND FUNDING AUGMENTATION, AMONG OTHERS. 
“SEC. 5. AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT DONATIONS.  –  THE DSWD, 
THROUGH THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES, MAY ACCEPT 
DONATIONS AND GRANTS, BOTH DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN, FOR 
PURPOSES RELEVANT TO THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CENTERS.  THE 


DONATIONS AND GRANTS SHALL BE ALLOTTED TO THE VARIOUS 
CENTERS IN SUCH AMOUNT AS MAY BE DEEMED BEST BY THE DSWD OR 
FOR THE PURPOSES SPECIFIED BY THE DONOR.  SUCH DONATIONS AND 
GRANTS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO PERTINENT ACCOUNTING AND 
AUDITING RULES AND REGULATIONS.” 
 
SEC. 5. 
Sections 4, 5 and 6 of Republic Act No. 8505 are hereby renumbered accordingly 
as Sections 6, 7 and 8.  
 
SEC. 6. 
Sections 7 and 8 are hereby deleted. 
 
SEC. 7. 
Appropriations.  –  The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall 
be included in the budget of the DSWD under the annual General Appropriations Act.  
 
SEC. 8. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations.  –  Within ninety (90) days upon the 
approval of this Act, the DSWD and all concerned agencies shall formulate rules and 
regulations as may be necessary for the proper implementation thereof.  
 
SEC. 9. 
Separability Clause.  –  If any part, section or provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts thereof not affected thereby shall remain valid.  
 
SEC. 10. 
Repealing Clause. – All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of 
this Act are deemed amended, modified or repealed accordingly. 
 
SEC. 11. 
Effectivity.  –  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,