Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No._5013_

Introduced by Rep. Eulogio “Amang” R. Magsaysay

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is a declared policy of the State to provide special protection to children
from all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation and discrimination, and
other conditions prejudicial to their development. The State shall intervene on
behalf of the child when the parent, guardian, teacher, or person having care or
custody of the child fails or is unable to protect or when such acts against the
child are committed by the said parent, guardian, teacher or person having care
and custody of the same.

Young people below eighteen (18) years of age are vulnerable to
deprivation of basic needs for survival, such as food and shelter including
physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation and discrimination. Research shows
that the impact of youth homelessness on socio-economic order is alarming.

The diverse issues attendant to homeless youth requires collaboration of
various stakeholders, seamless in nature, and effectively delivered by the
government.

The State, therefore, has to explicitly commit to resolve and end youth
homelessness for the absence of a decent home aggravates their condition and
hampers total development as well, more specifically, the benefit of accessible
quality basic education.

This bill aims to provide assistance and protection to the homeless youth.

EULOGIO “AMANG” R. MAGSAYSAY


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

House of Representatives

House Bill No._5018

Introduced by Rep. Eulogio “Amang” R. Magsaysay

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE WELFARE OF THE HOMELESS YOUTH PROVIDING
STRATEGIC ASSISTANCE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as “Homeless Youth Assistance
Act.”

SECTION 2. It is the policy of the State to promote and protect the
physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well being of the youth
recognizing their vital role in nation-building.

SECTION 3. Definitions of Terms.

(a) Homeless youth - means an individual under 18 years of age who
is unable to live in a safe environment with a relative and lacks
safe alternative living arrangements, or an individual less than 18
years of age who is without shelter.

(b) Assistance - means government intervention to ensure living
condition in a safe environment under the joint supervision of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of
Health, Department of Education and the host Local Government
Unit

(c) Joint Supervision - means the coordination and exchange of
information among the Department of Social Welfare and
Development, Department of Health, Department of Education
and the Host Local Government Unit.

SECTION 4. integrated Accountability Plan. The strategic planning
Process jointly crafted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development,
Department of Health, Department of Education and the Host Local Government
Unit shall take into consideration the following:

(a) absolute number of needed shelter, housing and supportive
services for the homeless youth;

(b) data and outcome measures from which to evaluate public
investment in homeless youth services;

(c) revenue stream from the local and national government to
meet the demand for shelter and services;


(d) specific role of the child welfare system in preventing and
addressing homelessness for minors,

(e) specific role of law enforcement in responding to the need of
homeless youth;

SECTION 5. Shared Accountability. In the implementation and
enforcement of the provisions of this Act, the Department of Social Welfare and
Development, Department of Health, Department of Education and the Host
Local Government Unit shall open strategic processes of planning and
consultation that engage stakeholders, including the Sangguniang Kabataan,
Parents Teachers Associations, homeless youth service providers, advocates,
and researchers, and representatives of interested government agencies.

SECTION 6. If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected
shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 7. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts

thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended
or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,