NG 
OF T 
PUBLIC OF THE PHlLlPPlNES 
1 
S E N A T E  
s. B. No. 
I _ .  
I
.
 
Introduced by Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution provides that it is duty of the State to defend the 
7ts of the children, assist and protect them from all forms of neglect, abuse; 
ielty, exploitation and other conditions prejudicial. to their development. 
Pursuant to this Constitutional mandate, the government has instituted 
*ious policies and laws that would protect children below 18 years old and 
se who, upon evaluation, are found to be incapable of taking care of 
!mselves fully because of a physical or mental disability. 
However, despite the existence of all these laws and programs, the 
number of children subjected to various forms of abuse and exploitation seems to 
rise and is becoming more alarming. Based on the Department of Social Welfare 
and Development data, the number of child abuse cases reported increased 
from 644 in 1991 to 4,105 in 1996. Among the cases of abuse, the most 
prevalent is sexual abuse and exploitation, constituting 69 percent of all cases, 
physical abuse with 20 percent and incest with 16%. For the year 1997 alone, a 
total of 4,395 cases of child abuse and exploitation were reporfed to and handled 
by the Department. 
Indeed, taking care of 
se children and helping them cope with, as well 
requires a lot of our resources, human, financial 
as overcome, their dire 
or otherwise. 
It is in the light that this proposed measure seeks to establish a fund to be 
managed by the DSWD which shall be used mainly for the protection and 
rehabilitation of abandoned, abused and sexually exploited children. As such, it 
hopes to compliment the existing laws and programs which are solely intended 
for these disadvantaged children. 
In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


*
‘
 
TH 
RE 
First Regular Session 
33 “;q 1.4 2 
*04 
1 It 
1 
1 
S E N A T E  
S.B. No. 
Introduced by Sen. Jinggoy Eercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING CHILDREN’S WELFARE FUND FOR THE PROTECTION AND 
REHBlLlTATlON OF ABANDONED, ABUSED AND SEXUALLY EXPLOITED 
CHILDREN AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE RA NO. 7610, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS “THE SPECIAL PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AGAINST CHILD 
ABUSE, EXPLOITATION AND DISCRIMINATION ACT” 
1 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION I. 
It is hereby declared the policy of the State to recognize the 
vital role of the youth in nation building. Towards this end, it shall promote and 
protect their physical moral spiritual, intellectual and social well being. 
SECTION 2. There shall be incorporated after Sec. 30 of Republic Act 
No. 761 0, three (3) new sections which shall read as follows: 
SEC. 31. CHILDREN’S WELFARE FUND FOR ABANDONED, ABUSED, 
AND SEXUALLY EXPLOITED CHILDREN. - 
IN ORDER TO 
EFFECTIVELY PROTECT AND REHABILITATE CHILDREN WHO 
ARE VICTIMS OF ALL FORMS OF ABUSE AND SEXUAL 
EXPLOITATION, 
THERE 
IS 
HEREBY 
ESTABLISHED A 
PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION FUND FOR ABUSED AND 
SEXUALLY EXPLOITED CHILDREN IN THE AMOUNT OF ONE 
HUNDRED MILLION PESOS (PI 00,000,000.00) TO BE KNOWN 
AS CHILDREN’S WELFARE FUND TO BE ONSTITUTED FROM 
THE FOLLOWING SOURCES: 
FIFTY MILLION PESOS (P50,000,000.00) FROM THE FUNDS IN 
THE NATIONAL TREASURY WHICH IS RIOT OTHERWISE 
APPROPRIATED; 
A) 


ILLION 
PESOS 
( 30,000,000.00) FROM THE 
GENCY FUND OF THE PRESIDENT; AND 
C) 
TWENTY MILLION PESOS (P20,000,000.00) 
FROM THE 
PROCEEDS OF LOTTERY OPERATIONS OF THE PHILIPPINE 
CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE. 
THEREAFTER, SUCH SUMS AS MAY BE NECESSARY 
TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE 
INCLUDED 
IN 
THE 
SUBSEQUENT 
GENERAL 
APPROPRIATIONS ACTS WHICH SHALL IN NO CASE BE 
LOWER THAN THE PREVIOUS APPROPRIATION. 
SEC. 32. USES OF THE CHILDREN’S WELFARE FUND -THE FUND 
CREATED UNDER THE PRECEDING SECTION SHALL BE USED 
EXCLUSIVELY TO: 
A) 
PROVIDE PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE TO ABANDONED 
OR ABUSED SEXUALLY EXPLOITED CHILDREN. 
B) 
ESTAB ISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN SUCH FACILITIES 
NECESSARY TO REHABILITATE SUCH CHILDREN; 
C) 
PROVIDE BASIC EDUCATl0N;AND 
D) 
ASSIST THE STATE IN COMBATTING AND CURTAILING ALL 
FORMS OF CHILD ABUSE. 
SEC. 33. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND UNDER THIS ACT; ANNUAL 
REPORT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND 
DEVELOPMET AUTHORITY (DSWD). - THE CHILDREN’S 
WELFARE FUND FOR ABANDONED. ABUSED AND SEXUALLY 
EXPLOITED CHILDREN SHALL BE UNDER THE CONTROL AND 
MANAGEMENT OF THE DSWD. 
THE DSWD SECRETARY 
SHALL SUBMIT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES AND 
TO CONGRESS, 1~~~~~~ 
FIFTEEN (15) DAYS FROM THE 
OPENING OF THE REGULAR SESSION, AN ANNUAL REPORT 
ON THE CHILD ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION SITUATION IN THE 
COUNTRY WHICH SHALL INCLUDE A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF 
THE CHILD ABUSE AND SEXUAL EXPLOITTION CASES AND 
CRIMES 
RELATED 
THERETO, 
EXPENSES 
INCURRED 
PURSUANT 
TO 
THE 
PROVISIONS 
OF 
THIS 
ACT, 
MENDED LEGISLATION, IF NEEDED, AND SUCH 


OTHER RELEVANT FACTS 
IT MAY DEEM PROPER TO 
REPORT: 
PROVIDED, THAT THIS REPORT SHALL BE 
INCORPORATED AS A SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ITEM IN THE 
ANNUAL STATE OF THE 
NATION ADDRESS OF THE 
PRESIDENT BEFORE BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS. 
SECTION 3. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional of the application thereof to any person, circumstance or 
transaction is held invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions of this Act or 
the applicability of such provision to other persons, circumstances or transactions 
shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 4. 
Repealing Clause. 
This provisions of all other laws, 
decrees, orders, rules or regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed accordingly. 
SECTION 5. Effectivity. The Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette, or in at least two (2) 
national newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved;