Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A CRISIS CENTER FOR STREET CHILDREN IN EVERY REGION OF THE 
PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
“The child is recognized, universally, as a human being who must be able to develop physically, mentally, 
socially, morally, and spiritually, with freedom and dignity1.” 
As poverty increases in the country’s urban centers, there is also a corresponding rise in the number of 
street children who have been neglected by their parents and are not receiving adequate care, proper 
nutrition, and formal education. Considering the responsibility of the State to uphold 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, it is only apt to legislate 
measures towards the protection of these street children.  
In this regard, this measure seeks to protect street children from circumstances that endanger their survival 
and normal development. This measure proposes to establish crisis centers in every region that shall 
provide proper care and nutrition to street children. This bill also provides for the incorporation of livelihood, 
technical, and social programs, which would help the children become productive members of society.  
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the Filipino 
people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
1 Declaration of the Rights of the Child, 1959 
August 23, 2022
2:27 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A CRISIS CENTER FOR STREET CHILDREN IN EVERY REGION OF THE 
PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Street Children Crisis Center Act”.  
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 condition prejudicial to their development.  
Sec. 3. Coverage. – This Act shall cover all persons below eighteen (18) years of age and roaming the 
streets without the supervision of adults, whether parents, relatives, or friends.  
Sec. 4. Program Framework. – There shall be a comprehensive program to be formulated by the 
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with the Department of Interior 
and Local Government (DILG), to protect street children from circumstances that endanger their survival 
and normal development. Such program shall include but is not be limited to the following: 
(a) Emergency medical and feeding program;
(b) Temporary shelter for street children who have been separated from their respective homes and
who have been staying on the streets;
(c) Basic educational, legal, and counsel services;
(d) Immediate rehabilitation program for those identified as substance abusers;
(e) Programs geared towards the acquisition of livelihood, technical, social, and other related skills,
which would help the children become productive members of society;
(f) Support system provided by the Local Government Units;
(g) Referral network of assistance consisting of other government agencies;
(h) Program for securing foster homes or employment best suited to the individual child's capacity,
training, and personality;
(i) A follow-up program for monitoring the progress of each child, after a certain period, to determine
other development needed to further enhance the normal development of the child;
(j) Information, education, and communication campaign/programs to promote the objectives of this
Act; and
(k) Such other functions as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.
Sec. 5. Implementing Agency. – The program shall be implemented by the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development in close coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs) concerned.  
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The local officials may call upon private and responsible volunteers of the community to assist in the care 
of the street children by providing consultative services for medical, educational, and other needs children.  
 
Sec. 6. Functions of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. – The Department shall: 
(a) Formulate the criteria for the selection and qualification of street children who shall be covered by 
this Act; 
(b) Provide training for crisis center workers, counselors, and other volunteers; 
(c) Coordinate activities of non-government organizations 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; 
(d) Protect and assist abused, neglected, or exploited children and secure proper government 
assistance for said street children; and 
(e) Promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations within (6) months from the effectivity 
of this Act. 
 
Sec. 7. Appropriations. – The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be taken from the 
following sources: 
(a) The funds for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of the crisis center for street children 
in every region shall be included in the General Appropriations Act as part of the annual budget of 
the Department of Social Welfare and Development. 
(b) Funds for the establishment of a sub-regional crisis center, as may be deemed necessary shall be 
included in the budget of the LGUs concerned. 
 
Sec. 8. Authority to Accept Donations. – The Department of Social Welfare and Development 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 regional crisis centers nationwide.  
 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. – If any portion of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of 
the Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.  
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations, and executive orders contrary to 
or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
 
Sec. 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) 
national newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,