Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3081

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE IRENE GAY F. SAULOG

EXPLANATORY NOTE
‘The 1987 Constitution recognizes the rights of women and children.

Article XIII, Section 14 of the Constitution states that:

The State shall protect working women by providing safe and healthful
working conditions, taking into account their maternal functions, and such
facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to
realize their full potential in the service of the nation.

Children’s rights are enshrined in Article XV, Section 3 (2) which states that:

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.

Moreover, both women and children’s health are given priority by the Constitution.
Article XIII, Section 11 declares that:
The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health
development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other
social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority


for the needs of the under-privileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children.
The State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers.

The highest law in the land clearly seeks to uphold and protect the rights of women and
children. It gives utmost importance to the welfare of these two sectors which unfortunately
suffer from marginalization and discrimination in present society. It is thus imperative for
Congress to carry out this noble intent of the Constitution. It must protect these vulnerable
groups on account of their gender and age.

This bill aims to uplift the condition of the women and children, particularly those who
were victims of abuse. The Resource Development and Crisis Assistance Centers, as described in
this bill, are envisioned to address their plight and help their recovery. This measure is also in
keeping with the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW) and the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC). By being a signatory to both
these agreements, the Philippines commits to upholding the rights and welfare of women and
children.

This bill has been filed in previous Congresses but has not been enacted into law. In the
15* Congress, it was passed by the House of Representatives on third reading but did not enjoy
similar success in the Senate. In the 18" Congress, this bill is being refiled in the hope of seeing
it passed into law. This proposed measure reflects the changes made during the deliberations in
the Committee on Women and Gender Equality.

It is high time that these centers be strengthened and expanded to better serve the women
and children in dire need of the services by these facilities.

ine GAY F. SAULOG

Kalinga Party-list


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No,__ 3.081

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE IRENE GAY F. SAULOG

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 the 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 2019."

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

"SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to [provide necessary assistance and protection for rape victims] VALUE
THE DIGNITY OF 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 POTENTIAL 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 COUNSELING 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.”

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

“SEC. 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;


“(©) Assisting rape victims in the investigation to hasten the arrest of
offenders and the filing of cases in court;

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

“(©) Providing psychological counseling and medical services when
necessary for the family of rape victims;

“() 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.

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

“THERE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
AND CRISIS ASSISTANCE CENTERS FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN
EVERY PROVINCE AND CITY OF THE COUNTRY, HEREINAFTER
REFERRED TO AS THE "CENTERS." THESE CENTERS SHALL BE
UNDER THE MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL 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 AND LGUs, NON-
GOVERNMENT 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
(DTD, 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 ACADEMY (TESDA), THE WOMEN AND
CHILDREN CONCERNS DIVISION OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL
POLICE (WCCD/PNP), THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
(CHED) AND NON-GOVERNMENT AND 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;

“(@) 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
CHILDREN TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY;


“@3) TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES, MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE INCLUDING MEDICO-LEGAL EXAMINATIONS AND
PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING 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,
COUNSELING, REHABILITATION, AND PSYCHOSOCIAL PROGRAMS;

“(S) 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 THE ARREST OF
OFFENDERS AND THE FILING OF CASES IN COURT;

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

“(10) 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
CHILDREN UNDER THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL BE
ENTITLED TO PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE BY THE CENTERS:

“(1) VICTIMS OF PROSTITUTION AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION;

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

“(3) VICTIMS OF RAPE, INCEST, SEXUAL ABUSE, HARASSMEN’
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) 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, SOCIAL 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 TRAINING 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 CENTER.
THE STAFF COMPLEMENT OF THE CENTER SHALL BE SUBJECT TO
THE APPROVAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND
MANAGEMENT.

“VOLUNTEERS FROM THE VARIOUS NON-GOVERNMENT
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 TRAINING ON HOW BEST TO HANDLE THE
DIFFERENT SITUATIONS OF THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE
CENTERS.”

SEC. 4. R.A. 8505 is hereby further amended by inserting the following new Sections
after Section 3 thereof::
“SEC. 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) HEREOF. THE COUNCIL SHALL ALSO OVERSEE THE EFFECTIVE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMS OF THE CENTER 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.

“SEC. 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 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.”

SEC. 5. Sections 4, 5 and 6 of R.A. 8505 are hereby renumbered accordingly as Sections

6,7, and 8.

SEC. 6. Sections 7 and 8 of R.A. 8505 are hereby deleted.

SEC. 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.


SEC. 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.

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

SEC. 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 repealed accordingly.

SEC. 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,