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Republic of the Philippines +

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES anne a
Quezon City = 17 AUG 2016 |

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No.3087

RES taTWr
DEX SER VIL

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” Ca:

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is precisely worded in Sec. 19 (2) of Article Ill of the Constitution that “the
employment of physical, psychological, or degrading punishment against any
prisoner or detainee or the use of substandard or inadequate penal facilities under
subhuman conditions shall be dealt with by law.

It is what this proposed measure seeks to address in the case of juvenile
delinquents, children in conflict with the law, or youthful offenders that have been a
growing concern if not an emerging social problem even by the agencies or
authorities that are supposed to insure a decent disposition, custody, or treatment of
an otherwise youthful offender, minor or juvenile delinquent.

Children have their rights, too. They deserve care and treatment from time of
apprehension up to the termination of the case. Our penitentiaries, provincial, city or
municipal jails, juvenile detention centers or facilities need not house offenders in
more than the ideal number. As youthful offenders, in fact, they shall never be mixed
but instead absolutely segregated from hardened criminals. Otherwise, some rights
would have been infringed and precisely these inadequate health care, subhuman
conditions in jails and prisons literally condemn a young inmate to an early death or
will inflict irreparable harm to their physical and mental health.

Under this proposal, there will be benefits provided for juvenile prisoners instead
since the protection of their rights and welfare are of paramount importance-tha
State should provide.

This humble representation seeks the endorsement of other Hj
immediate passage of this bill, hence this submission.


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 3087

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo

AN ACT
PROVIDING BENEFITS FOR JUVENILE PRISONERS THEREBY PROMOTING CHILDREN’S RIGHTS AND
HEALTH CARE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1: This Act shall be known as the “Juvenile Prisoners Benefits Act
of 2016.”

SEC. 2. It is a declared policy of the State to maintain peace and order,
protect life, liberty and the promotion of the general welfare of every individual in
society.

SEC. 3. The benefits of juvenile delinquents, children in conflict with the law,
or youthful offenders while in jails or detention centers or facilities shall be as those
that will provide them with decent food, a comfortable detention or prison cell, an
ample space or area, a very short time of stay in jail, a general condition of human
treatment, and such arrangement that shall never mix them with hardened criminals.

SEC. 4. In order to effectively implement the provisions of this Act, the
Department of Budget & Management shall cause the sufficient allocation of funds
for the purpose of rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents, children in conflict with the
law, or youthful offenders; the promotion of children’s rights and health care; and
adequate legal protection toward their integration back into society.

SEC. 5. The Department of Social Welfare and Development in coordination
with the Philippine National Police and the duly cognizant courts shall issue
appropriate guidelines, rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions
of this Act.

SEC. 6. All laws, issuances, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette
and in at least three newspapers of general circulation thirty (30) days upon its
approval.

Approved,