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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

: 696

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Rufus B, Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

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 concerned. 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

RUFUS B. Rt IGUEZ

<a

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

a
House Bill No. 696

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

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 of 2010",

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)

(©)

(e)

(0)

(g)

(h)

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

Basic educational, legal and counsel services;

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

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

Support system provided by LGUs;

Referral network of assistance consisting of other government
agencies;

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

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 concerned.

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 consultative 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)

(o)

()

formulate the criteria for the selection and qualification of street
children who shall be covered by this Act;

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

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


(4) 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 street children crisis center shall 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 official aid or 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, both domestic and foreign, for purposes relevant to the functions
of the crisis centers. These donations and grants shall 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 unconstitutional, 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 orders 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,