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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session y

7086

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

EXPLANATORY NOTE

“Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan.” This has been a line that has been used
over and over again to the point of cliché. However, it rings true then and it still rings
true today. The youth will be the next nation builders of the Philippines. It is then
necessary to realize that policies we will make today will ultimately affect them
significantly in the future

Unfortunately, it is also a reality that their sector has been and is currently one
of those marginalized and exploited. Their youth is sometimes seen as an instrument
and opportunity for abuse. In 2016, the Philippine Statistics Authority: has recorded
the total number of 5,051 of child abuse cases in the Philippines. The highest of which
are those children which are neglected (1,302), sexually-abused (1,045), abandoned
(740), rape (525), incest (453), victims of child trafficking (301), and physically abused
or maltreated (230).

If we are going to believe in the potential that the youth has, it is equally
important that they be protected from all kinds of abuse. The next generation is, and
will still be, worth fighting for.

It is for the foregoing premises that the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought

FE

ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Partylist

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‘34e6-4020-2eb3-210530b 100



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7086

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PROTECTION OF
CHILDREN FROM ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION AND
PROMOTION OF THEIR OVERALL HEALTH AND WELFARE

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Comprehensive
Child Protection and Welfare Act of 2020.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote
and protect the youth’s physical, moral, intellectual, and social well-being. It is
also the policy of the State to protect children from abuse, neglect and
exploitation. Thus, the State shall endeavor to create programs that will ensure
that children are protected beginning in the barangay level to ensure that all
children in every household are included.

SECTION 3. Barangay Children’s Welfare Worker; Minimum Qualifications.
~ There shall be at least one (1) Barangay Children’s Welfare Worker (BCWW) in
every barangay. The BCWW may be an existing Barangay Health Worker or a
social worker who underwent a rigorous training designed to equip him or her
with handling all concerns and all cases that specifically involve children’s
protection and welfare

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and
Department of Health (DOH) shall create the training course for BCWWs,
conduct the training and provide means for aspiring BCWWs to attending,
including but not limited to: transportation assistance, meals, and
accommodation. Every year thereafter, there shall be a skills and knowledge
update and refresher course for all current and new BCWWs.


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DOH and DSWD shall formulate the necessary qualification standards for
BCWWs in relation to the duties and responsibilities of BCWWs provided in the
succeeding section.

SECTION 4. Duties and Responsibilities of BCWW. - A Barangay Children’s
Welfare Worker (BCWW) shall:

a)

b)

8)

Conduct home visits in every household with children between ages
0 to 18;

Observe the child’s home situation, behavior, and relationship with
parents and other family members living in the house to see if there
are indications of abuse, neglect, or exploitation;

Provide parents with child care guidance or advice if requested;

Refer to proper authorities if there are indications or evidence of
abuse, neglect, or exploitation;

Ensure that the child is protected in any situation that may
potentially affect the child’s well-being physically, mentally or
emotionally;

Work together with the Barangay Health Workers to ensure that the
health and nutritional needs of the child are met; and

Take temporary custody of a child who is in immediate danger from
the abuse, neglect or exploitation that he or she experiences in the
home or community, and ensure that while such child is in
temporary custody, he or she gets the necessary medical attention
and mental health intervention.

SECTION 5. BCWW Intervention; Circumstances where BCWW Intervention

is allowed.

-BCWW intervention includes taking immediate custody of a child

found to be in actual or imminent danger from physical, sexual or verbal abuse,
exploitation, and neglect by parents or guardians.

In case of resistance by parents or guardians, BCWWs shall seek the
assistance of a social worker and police authorities to take temporary custody of

the child.

In case the child is determined by the BCWW to be in potential or
suspected danger, the BCWW shall file a police report and a report to the DSWD,
and regularly monitor the situation of the child; provided, that if the situation
escalates to actual or imminent danger, the BCWW can resort to the action
provided in the preceding paragraphs.


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BCWW intervention is also allowed in cases of child trafficking and child
sexual exploitation. BCWWs shall closely work with the social worker and police
officer in charge of the Women and Children’s Desk assigned to the case, and
ensure the safety and mental wellness of children involved in child trafficking
and child sexual exploitation.

SECTION 6. Health and Nutrition for Children in Barangays. - BHWs shall
be given additional specialized training on children’s physical and mental health.
Every year after their first training course, BHWs shall be given refresher courses
to continuously update their knowledge and skills in handling health cases
involving children.

SECTION 7. House-to-House Nutrition and Health Checks by Barangay
Health Workers. - Every child between ages 0 to 18 shall be regularly monitored
by BHWs through house-to-house visitation in terms of their physical growth,
weight, nutrition, and mental well-being. Children ages 13 to 18 shall be
regularly encouraged by BHWs to get involved in physical, emotional and mental
exercises and activities.

A program to implement this paragraph shall be devised within six (6)
months from the effectivity of this Act by the Department of Health (DOH), in
coordination with other relevant government agencies, and in consultation with
experts from the University of the Philippines.

SECTION 8. Seminars for Parents on Child Health and Development. -DOH,
DSWD, and BHWs shall jointly conduct biannual seminars for parents covering
topics on physical development, mental and intellectual stimulation, emotional
support, proper nutrition, and others relevant topics as determined by the DOH
and DSWD.

The DOH and DSWD shall formulate these seminars within six (6) months
from the effectivity of this Act, and include its contents in the annual training
for BHWs.

Expenses for the conduct of the seminars for parents shall be shouldered
by the local government unit exercising jurisdiction over the barangay. Joint
seminars between barangays within the same city or municipality is allowed.

SECTION 9. Child Abuse, Child Neglect, and Child Endangerment. - For
purposes of this Act, the term “child abuse” shall collectively refer to abuse,
neglect, and endangerment. Specifically, child abuse refers to the maltreatment,
whether habitual or not, of the child which includes any of the following:

a) Psychological and physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse and
emotional maltreatment;


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b) Any act by deeds or words which debases, degrades or demeans the
intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being;

c) Unreasonable deprivation of his basic needs for survival, such as food
and shelter; or

4) Failure to immediately give medical treatment to an injured child
resulting in serious impairment of his growth and development or in
his permanent incapacity or death.

SECTION 10. Authority of BHWs to Alert BCWW and DSWD on Actual or
Possible Child Abuse Cases. - If during a house-to-house visitation, or reported
by a family member, neighbor, or the child himself, a BHW learns that there is
actual or possible child abuse, he or she has the duty and authority to alert the
BCWW and social worker. Failure to report immediately after learning about the
abuse shall make the BHW administratively liable

SECTION 11. Establishment of Child Abuse, Exploitation and Trafficking
Hotline in Every City and Municipality. — Every city and municipality shall have a
Sagip Bata hotline which will take calls regarding child abuse, exploitation and
trafficking. Every call shall be verified through the BCWW in the barangay where
the child resides. The BCWW shall take the necessary steps to know the real
situation of the child and take the necessary steps to protect the child’s welfare
and safety.

SECTION 12. Mental Health Assistance for Children who are Victims of
Child Abuse, Exploitation and Trafficking. - Abused, exploited, or trafficked
children, once rescued, shall have a child-friendly and age-appropriate
conversation with the BCWW to explain the situation and the process that he or
she will have to go through after being rescued.

Thereafter, the BCWW shall bring, and assist the child if needed, to a child
psychologist, or if none is available, to a psychologist for the appropriate mental
health intervention.

SECTION 13. Assistance by Infant Care and Lactation Specialists for Young
Mothers. - Young mothers are girls who became pregnant or gave birth while still
below 18 years of age.

Young mothers shall be assisted by BHWs through teaching them the
basics of infant care, balanced nutrition, lactation and proper breastfeeding.

SECTION 14. Mental Health Programs for Young Mothers. - BHWs shall also
help young mothers in recovering mentally from the early pregnancy and birth,
and adjusting to motherhood. BHWs shall also work with the young mothers’


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parents or guardians, partner or spouse in creating a healthy environment, and
teaching them how to be more supportive of the mother and the infant.

SECTION 15. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions or parts unaffected
shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 16. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees or issuances, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules, and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 17. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,