F IR
i} peceweD %

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No, 2766
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 Council 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 been
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 concemed. 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
crisis 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.

Th
[


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No, 2766

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A CRISIS CENTER FOR STREET CHILDREN 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 Senate and 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’.

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 roaming 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;

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

(c) Basic educational, legal and counsel services;

(d) Immediately rehabilitation program for street children identified as
prohibited substance abusers;

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

(f) Support system provided by LGUs;

(g) Referral network of assistance consisting of other government
agencies;

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

(i) 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
censuitative 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:

(a) formulate the criteria for the selection and qualification of street
children who shalll be covered by this Act:

(b) provide training for crisis center workers, counselors and other
volunteers;

(©) coordinate activities of non-government with the crisis center workers
cr other social workers of the Department in order that thelr services
may be fully utilized for the attainment of the program goals; and,

(d) 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 funds for the establishment, maintenance and operation of the
The At children crisis center shali 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,
(b) A portion of the health programs: available to the Philippines under
A al aid oF 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,
ae semestic and foreign, for purposes relevant to the functions of the crisis centers. These
oot one end grants shail be allocated among the various crisis centers within the city or
‘municipality as may be deemed appropriate.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision in this Act be declared
Srconstitutional, 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
Siders 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,