REGEIVED
AUG 2016
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES On
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES " ti DI ti
Quezon City a:
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

REGISTRATION UNIT
BILLS. AND INDEX SERVICE

First Regular Session

House Bill No, 2694

Introduced by Honorable Luis Jose Angel N. Campos, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Rape is not the only devastating tragedy or form of violence that may
befall women today. Women are not the only ones susceptible to the
suffering and abuses that may be inflicted by today's society. Children are
vulnerable and deserve protection and assistance as well. There is a need for
the State to provide them with additional assistance in order to empower
them and provide them the necessary support not only in times of crisis but
also in ordinary times so that they may have an avenue to expand their
horizons and advance their learning.

Our Constitutional policies place special emphasis on the rights of
women to health and work, it also recognizes their crucial role in nation
building.

Our Constitution also dictates that children are also entitled to special
care. Section 3, Article XV of the Constitutions provides that the State shall
defend:

"The right of children to assistance, including proper care and
nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect,
abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to
their development’.

The Philippines is also part of the Convention of the “Rights of the
Child” and “Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination
Against Women”.

This bill seeks to amend the current Rape Victim Assistance and
Protection Act of 1998 or Republic Act No. 8505, in order to upgrade its
functions. This bill would convert Rape Crisis Center's to Resource
Development and Crisis Assistance Centers. These Centers will provide an
avenue for awareness and enhancement programs that would benefit the

nuuai. Ff RcPROSENT ARES



women and children of the community. It would aim to provide proactive
measures that enhance the welfare of women children such as livelihood
generation and skill development programs.

This bill will still contain the reactive action measures such as legal
assistance, counseling, and other forms of assistance the victims of may
suffer, however, this bill shall include children as a beneficiary of the
programs and shall encourage improved assistance to victims. It shall also
allow non-government organizations to join the effort.

In recognition of the duty of the State to enhance the welfare of
women and children and for the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is

earnestly sought.
LUIS JOSE ANGEL N. CAI J



REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.2694

Introduced by Honorable Luis Jose Angel N. Campos, Jr.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND CRISIS
ASSISTANCE CENTERS FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN EVERY
PROVINCE AND CITY OF THE COUNTRY, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8505, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“RAPE VICTIM ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION ACT OF 1998”

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

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 8505 shall be amended to
read as follows:

"SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the ['Rape
Victim Assistance and Protection Act of 1998"] RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT AND CRISIS ASSISTANCE FOR WOMEN
AND CHILDREN ACT OF 2016."

SECTION 2. Section 2 of the same Act is hereby also amended to read
as follows:

"SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared
the policy of the State to [provide necessary assistance and
protection for rape victims]. VALUE THE DIGNITYOF
WOMEN AND CHILDREN, DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS, AND
RECOGNIZE THEIR ROLE IN NATION-BUILDING AND ALL
OTHER IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE AS MAY BE NECESSARY
TO PROTECT THEM. Towards this end, the [government shall
coordinate its various agencies and non-government
organizations to work hand in hand for the establishment and
operation of a rape crisis center in every province and city that
shall assist and protect rape victims in the litigation of their
cases and their recovery.] STATE SHALL ENSURE THE
PROTECTION OF THEIR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND


SHALL PROVIDE THEM WITH FACILITIES AND
OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL ENHANCE THEIR WELFARE
AND ENABLE THEM TO REALIZE THEIR FULL
POTENTIALS IN THE SERVICE OF THE NATION. THE
STATE SHALL ALSO ENDEAVOR TO PROVIDE WOMEN
AND CHILDREN WITH UTMOST SUPPORT AND
ASSISTANCE WHICH SHALL INCLUDE AMONG OTHERS,
LEGAL SERVICES, LIVELIHOOD AND SKILLS
DEVELOPMENT, PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELLING AND
ALL OTHER ASSISTANCE NECESSARY TO PROTECT THEM
AGAINST ALL FORMS OF NEGLECT, ABUSE, CRUELTY,
EXPLOITATION AND OTHER ACTS PREJUDICIAL TO
THEIR WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT."

SECTION 3. Section 3 of the same Act is likewise amended to read as
follows:

"SECTION 3. [Rape] RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND
Crisis ASSISTANCE Centers. - [The Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health
(DOH), the Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and a lead
non-government organization (NGO) with proven track record
or experience in handling sexual abuse cases, shall establish in
every province and city a rape crisis center located in a
government hospital or health clinic or in any other suitable
place for the purpose of:

"(a) Providing rape victims with psychological counseling,
medical and health services, including their medico-legal
examination;

"(b) Securing free legal assistance or service, when
necessary, for rape victims;

"(c) Assisting rape victims in the investigation to hasten
the arrest of offenders and the tiling of cases in court;

"(d) Ensuring the privacy and safety of rape victims;

"(e) Providing psychological counseling and medical
services whenever necessary for the family of rape victims;

"(f) Developing and undertaking a training program for
law enforcement officers, public _ prosecutors, lawyers,
medico-legal officers, social workers, and barangay officials on
human rights and responsibilities; gender sensitivity and legal
management of rape cases; and

"(g) Adopting and implementing programs for the
recovery of rape victims.


ey nuAwn

"The DSWD shall be the lead agency in the establishment
and operation of the Rape Crisis Center.]

"THERE SHALL BE AN ESTABLISHED RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT AND CRISIS ASSISTANCE CENTERS FOR
WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN EVERY PROVINCE AND CITY
OF THE COUNTRY, HEREIN AFTER REFERRED TO AS THE
"CENTERS".

THESE CENTERS SHALL BE UNDER’ THE
MANAGEMENT AND — SUPERVISION OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCLAL WELFARE AND
DEVELOPMENT (DSWD) IN CONSULTATION WITH
CONCERNED.LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs).

"(A) COMPOSITION OF THE INTER-AGENCY
COUNCIL TO BE KNOWN AS THE ADVISORY COUNCIL.
AN INTER-AGENCY COUNCIL SHALL BE CONVENED TO
SET THE CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF THE SITES OF
THE CENTERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TAKING INTO
CONSIDERATION THE EXISTING FACILITIES OF THE
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, LGUs, AND
NONGOVERNMENT AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT. THE
COUNCIL SHALL BE COMPOSED OF AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DSWD, THE DEPARTMENT
OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG),
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH), THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ), THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRADE AND INDUSTRY (DTI), THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION (DEPED), THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND.
EMPLOYMENT (DOLE), THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND.
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (NEDA), THE PHILIPPINE
COMMISSION ON WOMEN (PCW), THE NATIONAL
YOUTH COMMISSION (NYC), THE TECHNICAL
EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
(TESDA), THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN CONCERNS
DIVISION OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE
(WCCD/PNP), THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER
EDUCATION (CHED) AND NONGOVERNMENT/PEOPLE'S
ORGANIZATIONS DULY ACCREDITED BY NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, SHALL BE INCLUDED AS
MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL. THE
INTER-AGENCY COUNCIL, DULY CHAIRED BY THE


DSWD, SHALL ALSO ACT AS AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO
OVERSEE THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
CENTERS! PROGRAMS.

"(B) FUNCTIONS OF THE CENTERS. - THE CENTERS
SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS TO ENSURE
COMPREHENSIVE AND INTEGRATED SERVICES:

"(1) TO SERVE AS THE VENUE FOR CONSCIOUSNESS-
RAISING, CAPABILITY-BUILDING AND FUNCTIONAL
LITERACY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS, AMONG
OTHERS, THAT WILL ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF
ISSUES AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION;

"(2) 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 CHIDREN TO BECOME
PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY;

"(3) TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES, MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE INCLUDING MEDICO-LEGAL
EXAMINATIONS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELLING
TO VICTIMS OF RAPE AND OTHER CASES OF VIOLENCE
AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN ENSURING THEIR
PRIVACY AND SAFETY;

"(4) TO UNDERTAKE ACTIVITIES RELATED TO
MORAL RECOVERY AND GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUES
FORMATION, COUNSELLING, REHABILITATION AND
PSYCHOSOCIAL PROGRAMS;

"(6) TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY SHELTER TO ABUSED
WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN;

"(6) TO ASSIST RAPE VICTIMS OR VICTIMS OF OTHER
FORMS OF ABUSES IN THE INVESTIGATION TO HASTEN
THEARREST OF OFFENDERS AND THE FILING OF CASES
IN COURT;

"(7) TO PROVIDE PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELLING
AND MEDICAL SERVICES WHEN NECESSARY FOR THE
FAMILY OF RAPE VICTIMS OR VICTIMS OF OTHER FORMS


AND ABUSES;

"(8) TO PROVIDE SKILLS TRAINING OR LIVELIHOOD
ASSISTANCE TO SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE;

"(9) TO STRENGTHEN AND FACILITATE LINKAGES
OF WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN’S GROUPS AND
ORGANIZATIONS WITH RELEVANT GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES AND LGUs TO MAXIMIZE THE DELIVERY OF
BASIC AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR WOMEN AND
CHILDREN AND ADVOCATE FOR THE PROTECTION AND
ADVANCEMENT OF THEIR RIGHTS;

"0) TO DEVELOP AND UNDERTAKE A
CONTINUING CAPACITY-BUILDING AND TRAINING
PROGRAM FOR FRONTLINE SERVICE PROVIDERS
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICERS, PUBLIC PROSECUTORS, LAWYERS,
MEDICO-LEGAL OFFICERS, PSYCHOLOGISTS,
DEVELOPMENT WORKERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, HEALTH
WORKERS, THERAPISTS AND BARANGAY OFFICIALS ON
HUMAN RIGHTS AND _ RESPONSIBILITIES; GENDER
SENSITIVITY AND LEGAL/CASE MANAGEMENT OF
SITUATIONS/CASES INVOLVING WOMEN AND
CHILDREN; AND

"(11) TO PERFORM SUCH OTHER FUNCTIONS AS
MAY BE NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE OBJECTIVES OF
THIS ACT.

"(C) CLIENTS OF THE CENTERS. - ALL WOMEN AND
CHILREN UNDER THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES
SHALL BE ENTITLED TO PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE
BY THE CENTERS:

"@) VICTIMS OF PROSTITUTION AND | SEXUAL
EXPLOITATION;

"(2) VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ABUSE AND
BATTERY;

"(3) VICTIMS OF RAPE, INCEST, SEXUAL ABUSE,
HARASSMENT OR MOLESTATION;

"(4) VICTIMS OF ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT, TRAFFICKING


AND/OR LABOR EXPLOITATION;

"(6) VICTIMS OF ARMED CONFLICT, NATURAL OR
ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS WHO ARE SUFFERING
FROM TRAUMA DUE TO THE TRAGIC DEATH OR
DISPLACEMENT OF FAMILY MEMBERS, DISLOCATION OR
LOSS OF LIVELIHOOD;

"(6) ABANDONED AND RUN-AWAY WOMEN AND
CHILDREN;

"(7) WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN DETENTION;

"(8) VICTIMS OF ANY FORM OF VIOLENCE AND
SUFFERING FROM ANY CRISIS SITUATION;

“(9) VICTIMS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL, EMOTIONAL,
PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES NEEDING
SPECIAL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE; AND

"(10) VICTIMS OF OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES AS MAY BE
DETERMINED BY THE DSWD.

"(D) PERSONNEL/STAFF COMPLEMENT OF THE
CENTERS. - EACH CENTER SHALL BE HEADED BY A
FEMALE DIRECTOR WHO HOLDS A BACHELOR'S DEGREE
IN SOCIAL WORK OR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OR
SIMILAR COURSES, HAS A MINIMUM EXPERIENCE OF
FIVE (5) YEARS IN COUNSELING, SOCIAI. AND
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES AND OTHER RELATED FIELD
OR EXPERIENCE, AND POSSESSES A PROVEN TRACK
RECORD AS AN ADVOCATE OF WOMEN'S ISSUES AND
EXPERTISE IN GENDER-RESPONSIVE TRAININGS AND
PROGRAMS FOR CAPABILITY-BUILDING AND IS OF GOOD
MORAL CHARACTER.

"THE SECRETARY OF THE DSWD, IN CONSULTATION
WITH THE HEADS OF THE CONCERNED LGU SHALL
APPOINT THE DIRECTOR AND OTHER NECESSARY
PERSONNEL OF THE CENTERS, THE STAFF COMPLEMENT
OF THE CENTERS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT
(DBM).


"VOLUNTEERS FROM THE VARIOUS
NONGOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS MAY EXTEND
PROFESSIONAL, HOUSEHOLD, RECREATIONAL AND
TRAINING EXPERTISE TO THE CENTERS. STUDENTS OF
SOCIAL WORK AND WOMEN STUDIES AND OTHER
RELATED PROGRAMS WHO ARE IN PRACTICUM
COURSES MAY RENDER VOLUNTARY SERVICES TO THE
CENTERS. THE PERSONNEL AND STAFF AS WELL AS
VOLUNTEER WORKERS SHALL UNDERGO REGULAR
TRAININGS ON HOW BEST TO HANDLE THE DIFFERENT
SITUATIONS OF THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE CENTERS."

SECTION 4. Republic Act No. 8505 is hereby further amended by
inserting the following new Sections after Section 3 thereof:

"SECTION 4. REHABILITATION AND DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM. - THE DSWD, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
INTER-AGENCY COUNCIL CONVENED UNDER SECTION
3(A) 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 3(B) HERE OF THE COUNCIL SHALL ALSO
OVERSEE THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
PROGRAMS OF THE CENTERS AND MONITOR THE
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF PARTICIPATING AGENCIES.

IT SHALL ALSO ACT AS AN ADVISORY BOARD. "THE
DSWD MAY CALL ON NATIONAL AGENCIES AND LGUS,
ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND INTERNATIONAL,
ORGANIZATIONS TO ASSIST IN THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF THIS ACT BY WAY OF PROGRAM COLLABORATION
AND FUNDING AUGMENTATION AMONG OTHERS.

"SECTION 5. AUTHORITY TO 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."

SECTION 6. Sections 4, 5 and 6 of Republic Act No. 8505 are hereby
renumbered accordingly as Sections 6, 7 and 8.

SECTION 6. Sections 7 and 8 of Republic Act No. 8505 are hereby
deleted.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the
implementation of this Act shall be included in the budget of the DSWD
under the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety
(90) days upon the approval of this Act, the DSWD and all concerned
agencies shall formulate rules and regulations as may be necessary for the
proper implementation thereof.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of
this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, all other parts thereof not
affected thereby shall remain valid.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, presidential decrees,
executive orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent
with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended,
modified or repeated accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after the completion of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of

general circulation.

Approved,