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

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill NO. 145

Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO
1" DISTRICT, BOHOL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our children’s physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being must be
assured. They should also be protected from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty,
exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development. They should be given
the appropriate nutrition, care and assistance. These principles are explicitly articulated
under Section 13, Article II and Section 3, paragraph 2, Article XV of the 1987
Constitution.

Presently, however, many of our children are either victims of abuse or sexual
exploitation or are abandoned. Reported cases of ‘abuse or sexually exploited or
abandoned children are increasing by the day. One only needs to read the daily
newspapers and tabloids to be appraised of such cases.

This bill seeks to amend R.A. No. 7610 otherwise known as The Special Protection of
Children against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, to effectively
implement the two principles cited under the 1987 Constitution.

During the 12” Congress, this bill was referred to the House Committee on Social

Services on 1* Reading. But due to time constraints it was never taken up again, This
bill is therefore re-filed for the consideration of this Congress.

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Ip

REP. EDGAR M. CHATTO



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

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
145

House Bill NO.

Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO
1® DISTRICT, BOHOL

AN ACT INSTITUTING A CHILDREN’S WELFARE FUND FOR THE
PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION OF ABANDONED, ABUSED AND
SEXUALLY EXPLOITED CHILDREN AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED 7610, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE SPECIAL
PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AGAINST CHILD ABUSE, EXPLOITATION AND
DISCRIMINATION ACT

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

SECTION 1. It shall be the policy of the State to recognize the vital role of the youth
in nation-building. Towards this end, it shall promote and protect their physical, moral,
spiritual, intellectual and social well-being.

Sec, 2. There shall be incorporated after Sec. 30 of R.A. No. 7610 three new sections
to read as follows:

SEC. 31, CHILDREN’S WELFARE FUND FOR
ABANDONED, ABUSED AND SEXUALLY EXPLOITED
CHILDREN. - IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY
PROTECT AND REHABILITATE CHILDREN WHO
ARE VICTIMS OF ALL FORMS OF ABUSE AND
SEXUAL EXPLOITATION, THERE IS HEREBY
ESTABLISHED A PROTECTION AND
REHABILITATION FUND FOR ABUSED AND
SEXUALLY EXPLOITED CHILDREN IN THE
AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED MILLION PESOS
(P100,000,000.00) TO BE KNOWN AS CHILDREN’S
WELFARE FUND, TO BE CONSTITUTED FROM THE
FOLLOWING SOURCES:

A) FIFTY MILLION PESOS (P50,000,000.00) FROM
THE FUNDS IN THE NATIONAL TREASURY
WHICH IS NOT OTHERWISE APPROPRIATED;



B) THIRTY MILLION PESOS (P30,000,000.00) FROM.
THE PRESIDENT’S CONTINGENCY FUND; AND.

C) TWENTY MILLION PESOS (P20,000,000.00)
FROM THE PROCEEDS OF LOTTERY
OPERATIONS OF THE PHILIPPINE CHARITY
SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE (PCSO).

THEREAFTER, SUCH SUMS AS MAY BE
NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS ACT SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE
SUBSEQUENT GENERAL APPROPTATIONS ACT
WHICH SHALL IN NO CASE BE LOWER THAN THE
PREVIOUS APPROPRIATIONS.

SEC. 32. USES OF THE FUND FOR ABANDONED,
ABUSED AND SEXUALLY EXPLOITED CHILDREN. —
THE FUND CREATED UNDER THE IMMEDIATELY
PRECEDING SECTION SHALL BE USED
EXCLUSIVELY TO:

A) PROVIDE PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE TO
ABANDONED OR ABUSED OR SEXUALLY
EXPLOITED CHILDREN;

B) ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN SUCH
FACILITIES NECESSARY TO REHABILITATE
SUCH CHILDREN;

C) PROVIDE BASIC EDUCATION; AND

D) ASSIST THE STATE IN CURTAILING ALL
FORMS OF CHILD ABUSE.

SEC. 33. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND UNDER
THIS ACT, ANNUAL REPORT BY THE DEPARTMENT
OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
(DSWD). - THE CHILDREN’S WELFARE FUND
FOR ABANDONED, ABUSED AND SEXUALLY
EXPLOITED CHILDREN SHALL BE UNDER THE
SUPERVISION, CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT
OF THE DSWD. THE DSWD SECRETARY SHALL
SUBMIT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE
PHILIPPINES AND TO THE PRESIDING OFFICERS
OF BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS, WITHIN
FIFTEEN (15) DAYS FROM THE OPENING OF THE


REGULAR SESSION, AN ANNUAL REPORT ON
THE CHILD ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION
SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY WHICH SHALL
INCLUDE A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN,
STATISTICS ON CHILD ABUSE AND SEXUAL
EXPLOITATION CASES AND CRIMES RELATED
THERETO, EXPENSES INCURRED PURSUANT TO.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, RECOMMEND
LEGISLATION, IF NEEDED, AND SUCH OTHER
RELEVANT FACTS AS IT MAY DEEM PROPER TO
REPORT: PROVIDED THAT, THIS REPORT SHALL
BE INCORPORATED AS A SEPARATE AND
DISTINCT ITEM IN THE ANNUAL STATE OF THE
NATION ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT BEFORE
BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS.

Sec. 3. If any provisions of this Act is declared unconstitutional or the
application thereof to any person, circumstance or transaction is held invalid, the
validity of the remaining provisions of this Act or the applicability of such
provisions to other persons, circumstances or transactions shall not be affected
thereby.

Sec. 4. The provisions of all other laws, decrees, orders, rules or regulations
or part thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed accordingly.

Sec. 5. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its complete
publication in the Official Gazette, or in at least two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved,