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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
p 355
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Susan A. Yap

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XV, Section 3(2) of the Constitution asserts that the State must defend the right
of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from ail
forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their
development. The Philippines, as party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, must
guarantee the protection and preservation of children’s rights and welfare through various
programs that are conerete and accessible.

Unfortunately, there is still a prevalence of cases where children fall prey to
exploitation and abuse in different aspects. More than 200,000 Filipino children, according to
a 2001-2006 report from the Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC), have been victimized as
laborers, prostitutes, and soldiers. Aside from this, children all over the country have been
exposed to poverty, extreme hunger, and the lack of education, thereby endangering their
well-being as future productive citizens of the country.

In order to respond to this dilemma, one step that needs to be undertaken
the awareness and concern of Filipinos of all ages regarding the rights and welfar
Thus, this bill secks to mark every second Sunday of October as National Children’s Day. It is
through heightening the level of consciousness that further successful efforts on uplifting the
conditions of the Filipino child can be achieved. ‘This, in turn, would aid in securing
generations of Filipinos who would then ensure the growth and development of the nation.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought

SUSAN

Representative, Second Distfict of Tarlac


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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
a
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Susan A. Yap

AN ACT
DECLARING THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL CHILDREN’S DAY IN THE
COUNTRY ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF OCTOBER OF EVERY YEAR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “National Children’s Day Act”.

SEC. 2. the second Sunday of October of every year shall hereby be known as the “National
Children’s Day” to promote consciousness over the protection of the rights of Filipino children and
the importance of fostering theie well-being to secure the growth and development of society

. 3, Pursuant to the observance of the National Children’s Day, an annual program of activities
shall be peepared and implemented with the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), the National Youth Commission (NYC) and the Council for the Welfare of Children
(CWO) as lead agencies.

In support thereof, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) shall facilitate and encourage the commemoration of this day in all schools,
public and private, nationwide

W Philippine Information Ageney (PLA), in coord
« CWC shall ensure the effective information diss

ion with the DSWD, DepEd, CHED, NYC

nination of this Act

4. ‘This Act shall take eff

fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Offiaial Gageite

‘Approved,