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10 APR 26

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)
OF THE PHILIPPINES )
2nd Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Houseill No._G075

Introduced by : MA. THERESA B. BONOAN-DAVID
Representative, 4" District, City of Manila

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 Special
Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act;
Republic Act No. 9231 also known as the Act Prohibiting Employment of Children in
Hazardous Areas and Presidential Decree No. 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code.
Yet, there is no specific law that addresses the special conditions and needs of the street
children,

According to the Couneil 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
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
ctisis 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.

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Atty. MA. THERESA B. BONOAN-DAVID
Representative, 4" District Manila


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)
OF THE PHILIPPINES d
2nd Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House iil No. 6075

Introduced by : MA. THERESA B. BONOAN-DAVID
Representative, 4" District, City of Manila

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CRISIS CENTER FOR STREET CHILDRB® IN
ALL CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION
AND IN EVERY HIGHLY URBANIZED CITY IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Street Children Crisis
Center Act of 1998".

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 793ming 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;
(6) Temporary shelter for street children who have been separated
from their respective homes and who have been straying in the
streets;

() Basic educational, legal and counsel services;

(@__ Immediately rehabilitation program for street children identified as
prohibited substance abusers;

(© Programs geared towards the acquisition of livelihood, technical,
social and other related skills which would help the street become
productive members of society;

(6 Support system provided by LGUs;

(g Referral network of assistance consisting of other govemment
agencies


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(b) Information, education and communication campaign to promote
the objectives of this Act; and
() 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 concemed,

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:
@) formulate the criteria for the selection and qualification of street
children who shall be covered by this Act;
() provide training for crisis center workers, counselors and other
volunteers;
© 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,

@ 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 fiunds 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.

(6) 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 center
within the city or municipality as my be deemed appropriate.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If 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.