Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
- First Regular Session~—

House Bill No.__ 3950

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE ABIGAIL FAYE C. FERRIOL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Women and children are two sectors that suffer from marginalization and discrimination
in present society. They are placed at a disadvantageous position on account of gender and
age. The attached bill aims to uplift the lives of suffering women and children by strengthening
and expanding the scope of social welfare extended to them.

The Constitution has recognized the plight of women and children. A number of
provisions are devoted to them. For one, the rights of women form part of Article XIII of the
Constitution which covers Social Justice and Human Rights. In the case of children, Article XV
Section 3 (2) of the Constitution specifically states that:

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.

Moreover, the Philippines is also bound by international agreements produced in the
United Nations that it has agreed to. Two examples are the Convention of the Rights of the
Child (CRC) and Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW). As a signatory to these agreements, it has committed to the advancement of the
rights and welfare of women and children.

This bill recognizes the need to bolster the capacity of the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD) in mitigating and alleviating the ill effects of marginalization and
discrimination experienced by women and children. The current facilities are stretched to cover
several provinces or cities; some are assigned to cover more than one region. The facilities
have to be made more accessible to those who are in dire need of the services. To realize this,
it is the purpose of this legislation that there will be at least one shelter for women and children
established in each city in the National Capital Region and each province in the Philippines.


The shelters will serve as temporary refuge and support but are not limited to the
following: street children, abandoned children, women and children who are victims of physical
and sexual abuse, homeless or those displaced by armed conflict. These shelters will also serve
the purpose of uplifting the conditions and rehabilitating the lives of those under its care.

ABIGAIL BAYE C. FERRIOL
Representative
Kalinga Party-list


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo.__ 3950

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE ABIGAIL FAYE C. FERRIOL

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SHELTER FOR WOMEN AND
CHILDREN IN EVERY CITY IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION AND IN EVERY
PROVINCE IN THE PHILIPPINES

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 "Shelter for Women and Children
Act of 2010."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to uphold the
rights of women and children and promote their welfare. It is also the policy of the State that
there shall be priority for the needs of women and children. Moreover, the State is also
cognizant of the special protection needed by children from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty,
exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development.

‘Towards this end, the State shall ensure that a shelter for women and children be
established in every city in the National Capital Region as well as in every province in the
Philippines. These shelters shall serve provide temporary refuge and support for the women
and children.

SEC. 3. Coverage. — This Act shall cover all women and children. Children, for the
purposes of this Act, are persons below eighteen (18) years of age. The following are the
intended beneficiaries of this program:

+ — (a) abandoned and neglected children
(b) street children
(c) stowaway or runaway children
(d) physically abused, maltreated or exploited children
(e) sexually abused children
(f) children victims of armed conflict
(g) battered or physically abused women
(h) sexually abused women
(i) women victims of armed conflict
() women and children in analogous circumstances


SEC, 4, Scope of the Program. — The Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) shall be primarily tasked implement this program. The DSWD shall coordinate with the
local government units (LGUs) and other government agencies to ensure the rights of women
and children are protected and that their needs are provided for. The DSWD, when needed,
may also utilize private volunteers and develop partnerships with non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) and civic organizations inthe performance of services needed in the”
program, The services to be extended under this program shall include but will not be limited to
the following:

(a) Temporary shelter,
(b) Emergency medical services;
* (©) Feeding program;

(d) Educational, legal and counselling services

(e) Livelihood program

(f) Adoption or securing foster homes

(g) Referral to other government agencies

(h) Transfer to larger and more specialized institutions to ensure rehabilitation and
recovery

(j) Other functions deemed necessary for the effective implementation and attainment of
the goals of this Act

SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be taken from the budget of the DSWD and shall be immediately included in the following
year's annual General Appropriations Act, and thereafter.

SEC 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DSWD shall issue the necessary
implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC 7. Separability Clause. ~ If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is
declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions thereof which are not
affected thereby shail continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,