THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC1 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
Introduced by Senator Francis N. Pangilinan 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
No less than the 1987 Constitution recognizes the role of women in 
nation building and declares as State policy the fundamental equality before the 
law of women and men. 
More so, the Legislature has never failed to include in their priority agenda 
measures that would address the plight of women in an environment still 
disfigured by women discrimination and violence. 
Thus, during the 1 Zfh 
Congress, Republic Act No. 9208, entitled "An Act to Institute Policies to Eliminate 
Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children, Establishing the Necessary 
Institutional Mechanisms for the Protection and Support of Trafficked Persons, 
Providing Penalties its Violations, and for Other Purposes", and Republic Act No, 
9262, entitled "An Act Defining Violence Against Women and Their Children, 
Providing for Protective Measures for Victims, Prescribing Penalties Therefor, and 
For Other Purposes were passed into law. 
The abovementioned measures notwithstanding, the situation of violence 
against women remains a frustrating issue that continues to demand the active 
attention of society. Therefore, the need for a heightened awareness through 
the participation of the different sectors that will join in efforts to raise the gravity 
of women discrimination and violence into the consciousness of the people 
cannot be overemphasized. 
This Bill attempts to consolidate efforts for national consciousness on anti- 
violence by designating November 25 of every year as the "National 
Consciousness Day for the Eliminatiqn of Violence Against Women." November 
25 is a significant date as it was the day the three Mirabal sisters from the 
Dominican Republic were brutally assassinated by the Trujillo movement, which 
event helped propel the anti-trujillo movement. The sisters, referred to as the 
"lnolvidables Mariposas" or the "Unforgettable Butterflies" have become a symbol 
against victimization of women, Designation of November 25 of every year also 
coincides with the UN adoption of Resolution 54/134 designating 25 November 
as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. 
This Bill seeks to establish a comprehensive and structured campaign for 
national consciousness on anti-violence against women that will eventually result 
in an informed and active society that can deal with the problem of 
discrimination and violence against women. 
Hence, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
I 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Francis N. Pangilinan 
AN ACT DECLARING 
"NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE 
AGAINST WOMEN" 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
NOVEMBER TWENTY-FIVE OF EVERY YEAR AS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1 .  In recognition of the need to establish a comprehensive and 
structured campaign for national consciousness on anti-violence against women, 
November ,25 of every year is hereby declared as the "national Consciousness 
Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women". 
Section 2. The following activities shall be undertaken in observance of the 
occasion: 
(a) Heads of government agencies, local government units and employers 
in the private sector shall. together with their employees, organize, 
engage or participate in activities designed to raise public awareness 
on the problem of violence against women and the elimination of all 
the forms of violence against women. 
(b) The Philippine lnformation Agency shall be mandated to allocate a 
minimum of one-hour airtime for programs exclusively raising public 
awareness on the problem of violence against women and the 
elimination of all forms of violence against women. Relative thereto, all 
Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas-affliated television and 
radio networks nationwide are encouraged to allocate airtime for the 
said programs. 
(c) Publishers of local newspaper and magazines are encouraged to 
highlight the problem of violence against women and the elimination 
of all forms of violence against women. 
(d) The Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education 
and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in 
coordination with the National Commission on the Role of Filipino 
Women (NCRFW), women nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) 
and the other nongovernmental organizations advocating for 
women's human rights, shall lead public and private school 
communitie~ at all levels in organizing consciousness raising activities 
on the problem of violence against women and the elimination of all 
forms of violence against women. 
1 


Section 3. The National Statistics Office, Philippine National Police, 
Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and 
Employment, Department of Foreign Affairs and all the Philippine embassies and 
consulates shall, in coordination with the NCRFW, undertake the data gathering 
and systematization of a database on all forms of violence against women, 
including Filipino women working and/or residing abroad. These agencies shail 
consolidate their findings and make a report to the public on the statistics and 
status of violence against women every November 25 of each year. 
Section 4. A compliance and monitoring team headed by a duly designated 
representative of the NCRFW shall be created to coordinate and monitor the 
implementation of the Act. Said team shall be composed of one representative 
from each of the following agencies: 
[a) The National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women; 
[bJ The Department of Social welfare and Development; 
(c) The Department of Education; 
[d) The Commission on Higher Education; 
(e] The Department of the Interior and Local Government; 
[f) The Department of Foreign Affairs; 
(4) The Department of Justice; 
(h) The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration; 
(i) The Philippine Overseas Employment Agency; 
0) The Movie and Regulatory and Television Review and Classification 
Board; and 
(I<) Three NGO representatives coming from the sectors of women, 
children and overseas Filipino workers. 
Section 5. Funds for the implementation of the aforestated activities, 
programs and projects shall be taken out of five percent (59/0) Gender and 
Development budget allocated to all government agencies and local 
government units. 
Section 6. If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is held to be 
unconstitutional or invalid, the validity of other sections herein shall not be 
affected thereby. 
Section 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen [ 15) days following its publication 
in two national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2