/I 2
,
 
" 
1
1
 .$: ?,;3.::(> 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
} 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
H 
Introduced by Senator S. R. OsmeAa Ill 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The rights of women and children and their respective roles in national 
development are amply recognized in the 1987 Constitution. These have been 
re-enforced by the 1994 Philippine Country Report on the Role of Filipino 
Women, the 1995 Platform of Action for Women, and the United Nations 
Convention on the Rights of the Child. 
Notwithstanding the numerous policy statements in support of women and 
children, there continues an alarming incidence of violence, abuse and 
exploitation of women and children, with news of wife battering, child abuse, and 
exploitation of children making the banner stories of newspapers, and getting 
featured in documentaries and Tv talk shows. 
This measure proposes the establishment of the Resource Development 
and Crisis Assistance Centers for Women and Children in every region of the 
country to provide assistance to women and children undergoing such crises. 
The Centers will serve as temporary shelters or temporary refuge to women and 
children who are victims of abuse, cruelty and exploitation. The Centers shall 
also undertake programs and projects in capability-building 
and self- 
enhancement designed for the rehabilitation and development of such women 
and children, 
It is important that the centers are made accessible to women and children 
in the countryside, where women and children are the most marginalized and 
disadvantaged. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
SERGIO OSMENA Ill 
Senator 


I 
-- 
a * ,  - L 
<‘lL \ AI r3 4 
I(.‘[) 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
} 
1 
1 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator S. R. OsmeAa 111 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND CRISIS ASSISTANCE 
CENTERS FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN EVERY REGION OF THE 
PHILIPPINE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Women’s and 
2 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies. - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
Children’s Resource Development and Crisis Assistance Act of 2004”. 
4 State to value the dignity of women and defend the rights of children and to 
5 
recognize their role in nation-building. Towards this end, the State shall ensure 
6 
the protection of their fundamental rights and to provide them with facilities and 
7 
opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full 
8 
potentials in the service of the nation 
9 
The State shall also endeavor to provide women and children with utmost 
10 
support and assistance which shall include among others: legal services, 
11 
livelihood and skills development, psychological counseling and all other 
12 
assistance necessary to protect them against all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, 
13 
exploitation and other acts prejudicial to their welfare and development. 
14 
SEC. 3. Establishment of Resource Development and Crisis Assistance 
15 
Cenfers. - In order to carry out the above-declared policy, there shall be 
16 
established in every region of the country Resource Development and Crisis 
1 


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 
Assistance Centers for Women and Children, hereinafter referred to as the 
Centers. These Centers shall be under the management and supervision of the 
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and shall be headed by 
a Director who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines. The 
Director shall hold a masters or doctorate degree in Social Work or Community 
Development or similar courses and shall have a minimum experience of five (5) 
years in counseling, social and psychological services and other related field of 
experience. 
SEC. 4. Criteria for the Selection of the Sites for the Centers. - An Inter- 
Agency Council shall be convened to set the criteria for the selection of the sites 
of the centers all over the country. The Council shall be composed of authorized 
representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of 
Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Education 
(DepEd), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Justice 
(DOJ), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), National Commission 
on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW), National Youth Commission (NYC), 
National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC) and non-government and 
people’s organizations duly accredited by national government agencies. 
SEC. 5 .  Functions. - The Centers shall have the following functions: 
a) to serve as the venue for consciousness-raising, capability-building 
and functions literacy enhancement programs, among others that will enhance 
public awareness of issues and promote community participation; 
b) 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 children to become productive members of society. 
2 


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 
c) to provide free legal services and undertake activities related to moral 
recovery and gender sensitive value formation, counseling and psychosocial 
programs; 
d) to provide temporary shelter or emergency refuge to women and 
children; 
e) to strengthen and facilitate linkages of women’s and children’s groups 
and organizations with relevant government agencies and local government units 
to maximize the delivery of basic and support services for women and children 
and advocate for the protection and advancement of their rights; and 
f) perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the 
objectives of this Act, 
SEC. 6. Beneficiaries. - All women and children under the following 
circumstances shall be entitled to protection and assistance by the Center: 
a) victims of involuntary or forced prostitution; 
b) victims of sexual abuse, harassment or molestation; 
c) victims of physical abuse; 
d) victims of illegal recruitment and/or labor exploitation; 
e) victims of armed conflict, natural or environment disasters who are 
suffering from trauma due to the tragic death or displacement of family members, 
dislocation or loss of livelihood; 
9 detained, abandoned and run-away women and children; 
g) victims suffering from mental, emotional, psychological and physical 
impairness needing special support and assistance; and 
h) other circumstances as may be determined by the DSWD. 
SEC. 7. Rehabilifafion and Development Program. - The DSWD, in 
consultation with the Inter-Agency Council convened under Section 4 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 5 hereof. The Council shall also oversee the effective implementation 


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 
of the programs of the Center and monitor the accomplishments 
agencies. It shall also act as an advisory board. 
of participating 
The DSWD may call on national agencies and local government units, 
academic institutions, and international organizations to assist in the 
implementation of this Act by way of program collaboration and funding 
augmentation, among others. 
SEC. 8. Aufhority fo 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. 9. Funding and Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the 
effective implementation of this Act shall be charged to the appropriations for the 
Department of Social Welfare and Development under the current General 
Appropriations Act. 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the 
continued operation and maintenance of the Centers shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
The funding for the Centers shall be augmented by transfer of funds from 
the Countrywide Development Funds, upon the recommendation of the 
Representative of the district where the Center is located. 
SEC. I O .  Separability Clause. - If for any reason any provision of this 
Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts or portions not affected 
thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations, or parts hereof inconsistent with the provision of this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
4 


1 
2 
3 
circulation, whichever comes earlier, 
SEC. 12. Eflectivify. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (1 5) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
Approved, 
5