Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._2717

Introduced by REP. RUWEL PETER S. GONZAGA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The children are one of the nation’s best assets. However, they are also our most
vulnerable human resource. Their Susceptibility to danger cannot be discounted hence their
protection should be a topmost priority.

It is disheartening to note that syndicates who prey on children for unscrupulous or
criminal activities go unchecked. Although anti human trafficking laws have been passed, still
prevention seems to be the better option in dealing with organized crime engaged in the illegal
trafficking of persons. This sends panic-stricken parents helpless. While some missing children
may have been retumed to their families, a larger number are out there exposed to danger,
exploited, or worst killed and can no longer be located.

Thus, in cognizance with the Constitutional mandate of promoting and protecting the
physical, moral and spiritual well being of the youth, and in response to the need for a strategic
procedure to facilitate prompt recovery of missing children, this bill proposes to establish a
National Center for Missing Children which shall be tasked to provide information and
coordinate public and private initiatives towards reuniting missing children with their families.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ie

{UWEL PETER S. GONZAGA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2717

Introduced by REP. RUWEL PETER S. GONZAGA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING CHILDREN AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 “National Center for
Missing Children.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of State Policy.- The following State policies shall be
observed at all times:

a) The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation- building and shall promote
and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall
inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in
public and civie affairs;

The State shall defend 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.

b)

SEC.3. Determination of Age.- This Act shall apply to persons below the age of
eighteen (18) years old pursuant to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of
the Child. The age of the child may be determined from the child’s birth certificate,
baptismal certificate or any other pértinent documents. In the absence of these
documents, age may be based on information from the child himself or herself,
testimonies of other persons , the physical appearance of the child and other relevant
evidence. In case of déubt as to the age of the child, it shall be resolved in his or her
favour.

SEC. 4. National Center for Missing Children(NCMC). - There shall be
created , under the supervision of the Department of Justice , the National Center for
Missing Children. (NCMC).

The NCMC shall exercise the following powers and functions:

a) Establish and maintain missing children telephone hotlines that will receive
and disseminate in a timely manner to various local government units,
government agencies, law enforcement agencies, school districts, and the
general public, information regarding missing children which shall include
pictures , bulletins, police reports biographical references and other relevant
data that can help efforts to locate missing children;

b) Maintain a regularly updated computerized link nationwide about missing
children through established reporting systems or clearing houses;


5

Coordinate with public and private entities like the media and various non-
government organizations to locate and unite missing children with their
families;

Disseminate information relating to innovative and model programs, services

and legislation that will benefit missing and exploited children;

Conduct national incidence studies annually to determine the actual number

of children reported missing, the number of children who are victims of

abduction, and number of children who are recovered each year;

f) Seek technical and logistical assistance through public and private grants
which shall be used to:

L Educate parents, children and local communities in ways to
prevent the abduction and sexual exploitation of children;

ii. Provide information to assist in the location an recovery of missing
children

iii. Aid communities in the collection of materials which would be
useful in the identification of missing children;

iv. Increase knowledge of and develop effective treatment pertaining
to the psychological consequences to the family of the missing
child; and

¥ Collect detailed data on the actual investigative practices utilized
by law enforcement agencies in missing children cases.

g) Analyze , compile , publish and disseminate an annual summary of recently
completed researches and demonstration projects relating to missing children
with particular emphasis on:

i. Effective models of national and local coordination and
cooperation in locating missing children;

ii. Effective educational methods designed to promote community
awareness of the problem to prevent abduction or sexual
exploitation of children; and

iii, Effective programs which provide counselling and treatment to
families of missing children or to children who had been victims of
abduction or sexual exploitation

h) Perform such other powers as may be necessary for the effective

implementation of this Act.

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SEC.5. Executive Council. — The powers and functions of the NCMC shall be
exercised by the Executive Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council, which
shall be composed of the following:

a) Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), as Chairman;

b) Secretary of Justice (DOJ);

c) Secretary of Education (DepEd);

4) Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);

) Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP);

£) Chairperson of the of the Commission of Human Rights (CHR);

2) Director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI);

h) Executive Director of the National Center for Missing Children
(NCMC),

i) Executive Director of the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC);

j) Two (2) representatives from non-government organizations (NGO’S)
one to be designated by the Secretary of Justice and the other to be
designated by the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development, as
members.


SEC.6. Executive Director. — Executive Director. — The National Center for
Missing Children be headed by an Executive Director who shall, upon approval of
the Council, determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of NCMC.

SEC.7. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial implementation
of this Act shall be taken from the current appropriations of the Department of
Justice. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for its continued
implementation shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC.8, Repealing Clause .~ All laws , decrees, orders, rules and regulations, and
other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC.9.Effeetivity. - This Act shall take affect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,