Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bil No, 2462

Introduced by Representative GIRLIE E. VELOSO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The 1987 Philippine Constitution declares as a matter of State policy the protection and promotion
of the rights of children. Article XV, Section 3 explicitly affirms the right of every child to assistance
and special protection. This aligns with international instruments such as the UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child, to which the Philippines is a signatory.

Currently, countless children are denied the most basic means of survival and development,
including food, shelter, education, and healthcare, because of absent or neglectful parents who evade
responsibility with impunity. Despite existing legal provisions on child support under the Family
Code and jurisprudence, enforcement remains sporadic, largely inaccessible, and overly reliant on
costly private litigation. Due to the absence of a contributing co-parent, solo parents, the majority of
whom are women, carry the immense responsibility of raising children single-handedly, often with
limited support, income, or time. In most cases, this overwhelming burden places these families in
precarious financial conditions, with long-term effects on the child’s well-being and the solo parent’s
health and livelihood.

The persistent failure to provide adequate support to children catries grave and far-reaching
consequences, not only for the child but for the nation as a whole. Unsupported children are
significantly more vulnerablg.to gualnutrition, poor academic performance, school dropout, child
labor, abuse, exploitation, and jayenile delinquency. Over time, these conditions entrench poverty
spanning generations and lead to reduced economic productivity, higher dependency on state
welfare systems, and increased cost on criminal justice and healthcare. Early investment in child
welfare, including enforceable child support, yields exponential returns in national development,
public health, and social cohesion. Conversely, the failure to hold parents accountable for their legal
and moral duties results in deep systemic costs that the government and society must ultimately bear.
Te can be argued then, that parental abandonment, child neglect, and evasion of responsibilities are


not merely a personal failure, but a social and structural issue that demands government
intervention, coordinated institutional support, and robust enforcement. Establishing a strong and
fair child support enforcement system is therefore not only a matter of family justice, it is an
investment in national stability, security, and prosperity.

‘Therefore, this Bill seeks a moral and structural correction by establishing a comprehensive,
enforceable, and child-centered system that ensures every Filipino child receives the support they are
legally and morally entitled to. It proposes the institutionalization of a central authority in tracking,
collecting, and enforcing child support obligations through the creation of National Child Support
Enforcement Bureau (NCSEB) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD). The Bureau will have the power to issue administrative support orders, conduct due
process-compliant proceedings, and carry out enforcement actions. This Bill, through such
functional and active child support enforcement system, seeks to protect vulnerable parties,
particularly solo parents, custodial guardians, and indigent caregivers, by providing access to legal
assistance, simplified procedures, and remedies tailored to their real-life situations. With a mandate
for inter-agency coordination, the system will be able to locate obligors, assess income, intercept
benefits, and disburse support to custodial parties in a timely and secure manner.

As a vital social reform, this Bill serves as a strategic investment in the Filipino people and the
society in general. At the individual level, this Bill ensures that children receive consistent financial
support necessary for their growth, thereby reducing emotional and financial strain within the family,
imptoving household stability, and promoting healthier parent-child relationships. At the societal
level, this Bill delivers a high return on investment through poverty reduction, increased school
completion rates, improved child health outcomes, and even crime prevention both by and against
children. By ensuring accountability from both parents, the law also discourages patterns of
abandonment and neglect that often lead to intergenerational cycles of poverty, delinquency, and
dependence on the justice system. This Bill also helps reduce teenage pregnancies by embedding
financial responsibility into parenthood, sending a clear message that child-rearing is a lifelong
obligation, not a temporary consequence. When accountability is enforced, it deters reckless
behavior and promotes informed, responsible decisions among youth. For government and the
economy, the bill transforms child support from a passive civil obligation into an active tool of
social protection and fiscal efficiency. It reduces the economic drag of unpaid obligations, curtails
abuse of state welfare assistance, and ensures that those who have the means to contribute do so
responsibly. As more obligors are held accountable, the burden on taxpayers lessens, allowing
limited public resources to be redirected to other critical areas of public services. In the long run,
effective child support enforcement boosts human capital, ultimately contributing to national
development.

This Bill affirms the duty of the State to protect the Filipino family. It is a legislative declaration that
the no Filipino child must be left behind. By turning moral obligation into enforceable right, it
delivers justice right at the home of the child.


In view of the foregoing, support for the enactment of this measure is earnestly sought.

REP. GIRLIE E)VELOSO
Malasakit@Bayanlpan Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2462

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative GIRLIE E. VELOSO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT
SYSTEM UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND
DEVELOPMENT, DEFINING CHILD SUPPORT AS A LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE
OBLIGATION, PRESCRIBING MECHANISMS FOR ITS DETERMINATION,
COLLECTION, AND ENFORCEMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Child Support Enforcement

2 Act.
3 SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to recognize and
4 enforce the tight of every child to receive support from their parents and to protect the well-being of
5 children as a matter of public justice, social responsibility, and national development. Toward this
6 end, the State shall adopt:

7 (a) A comprehensive and rights-based approach to child support enforcement that ensures
8 no child is deprived of food, shelter, education, or healthcare due to parental
9 abandonment of neglect;

10 (b) A child support system that empowers the government to track, collect, and enforce

ul support obligations through income-based, time-sensitive, and equitable measures,

12 regardless of the marital or employment status of the parents;


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(© A govemance framework that institutionalizes coordination among national government
agencies, local government units (LGUs), and the justice system, and leverages digital
infrastructure to ensure timely and efficient delivery of support;

@ A people-centered enforcement model that recognizes diverse family arrangements,
including non-parent custodians, and ensures that child support is treated not as a private
burden but as a shared and enforceable duty; and

(©) A justice and welfare system that balances accountability and compassion by supporting
indigent obligors while taking firm action against willfal noncompliance, in order to
break cycles of poverty and abandonment.

SECTION 3. General Objectives. — This Act seeks to:

(@ Establish a comprehensive and enforceable framework for child support that affirms the
duty of every legally responsible person to contribute financially, materially, or otherwise
as provided by law to the upbringing and welfare of the child;

()) Strengthen the role of the State in ensuring that no child is deprived of support due to
the failure, absence, or evasion of a parent or legal guardian, through the creation of a
centralized enforcement mechanism with inter-agency coordination and legal remedies;

© Promote the best interests of the child by ensuring continuity of care, access to basic
needs and services, and the fair sharing of responsibility between parents or responsible
parties regardless of marital status, custody arrangement, or employment condition; and

(@) Institutionalize a system of accountability and compliance that is equitable, responsive to
individual circumstances, and consistent with the constitutional mandate to protect the
rights of children and promote their development.

SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. —- As used in this Act:

(@) Child or Children refers to any person below eighteen (18) years of age, ot over eighteen
(18) who is unable to fully care for or protect themselves due to a physical or mental
disability, or who remains legally dependent due to full-time education or other
compelling circumstances as may be provided in the Implementing Rules and
Regulations (IRR).

(®) Child Support refers to the obligation of a parent or legally responsible person to
provide, whether periodically or in lump sum, financial, material, or in-kind contributions
for the sustenance, development, and well-being of a child. This includes, but is not
limited to, the provision of food, clothing, shelter, education, healthcare, and other
essentials, as may be determined by a valid support order or applicable law.

(©) Custodial Party refers to the parent, legal guardian, or individual who has actual physical
custody and primary responsibility for the care of the child, regardless of biological
relation, and who may receive child support on behalf of the child.



(@ Non-Custodial Panty refers to the parent or person who does not have primary physical
custody of the child and who is subject to an enforceable obligation to provide child
support under a valid support order.

(©) Shared Custody refers to an arrangement, whether judicially ordered or mutually agreed
upon and recognized by a competent authority, wherein the physical custody, time, and
parental responsibilities for a child are substantially divided between two or more parties.
Shared custody shall be considered in determining the amount, form, or apportionment
of child support obligations.

(©) Obligor refers to any individual who is legally required to pay child support pursuant to a
valid support order issued by a court, barangay authority, or competent administrative
body.

(® Delinquent Obligor refers to an obligor who has failed, without lawful excuse, to comply
with a valid support order, in whole or in part, and who is thereby subject to
enforcement actions under this Act.

(b) Support Order refers to any judgment, decision, settlement, or directive issued by a
competent court, barangay authority, or duly authorized administrative body establishing
the legal obligation of a person to provide support to a child, including the amount,
frequency, and terms of such obligation.

@ National Child Support Enforcement System (NCSES) refers to the centralized system
to be established under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
which shall be responsible for case management, enforcement, payment processing, and
coordination with relevant agencies for the implementation of this Act.

{) Imputed Income refers to the estimated earning capacity assigned to an obligor who is
voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, as determined by the NCSES or the court
based on available evidence including education, prior income, work history, skillset, and
labor market conditions.

(© In-Kind Support refers to the provision of goods or services in lieu of monetary child
support, including but not limited to food, clothing, educational supplies, or direct
payments to third-party service providers for the benefit of the child. In-kind support
shall only be recognized when expressly authorized by a support order and subject to
valuation and monitoring by the NCSES or the issuing authority.

@ Substantial Change in Circumstance refers to any significant, material, and continuing
change in the financial, physical, or custodial condition of either party that may justify the
modification, suspension, or termination of a previously issued support order. This may
include, but is not limited to, loss of employment, permanent disability, change in
custody arrangement, or a marked increase or decrease in income or needs of the child.

(m) Adoptive Parent refers to a person who has been granted legal parental rights over a
child through final adoption proceedings under applicable law.

(a) Legal Custodian refers to a person, institution, or agency granted legal custody of a child
by a competent court or authorized government body.

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(©) De Facto Custodian refers to a person who has provided primary care and financial
support to a child in a consistent and substantial manner, regardless of formal legal
custody.

(p) Enforcement Threshold refers to the defined level of child support delinquency that
triggers specific enforcement actions under this Act.

(@ Custody Arrangement refers to the legally recognized distribution of physical custody,
visitation, and parental responsibilities over a child.

SECTION 5. Establishment of the National Child Support Enforcement Bureau
(NCSEB). —There is hereby created a National Child Support Enforcement Bureau (NCSEB),
hereinafter referred to as the Bureau, under the administrative supervision of the DSWD, which
shall serve as the central implementing and enforcement body for the provisions of this Act. The
Bureau shall exercise technical, administrative, and enforcement authority over matters relating to
child support enforcement, and shall be vested with the following powers and functions:

(@ Maintain and operate a National Child Support Registry, which shall record the identity,
legal obligations, payment history, and enforcement status of all obligors and support
orders registered under this Act;

(b) Locate obligors and determine sources of income or assets through mandatory inter-
agency data matching and information sharing with national registries and government
databases, including but not limited to those maintained by the Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE), Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance
System (GSIS), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Professional Regulation Commission
(PRO), Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),
and the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).

(©) Administer and monitor the collection, allocation, and disbursement of child support
payments through automated or manual channels, ensuring traceability, accountability,
and timeliness in every transaction;

(@ Issue and implement, with or without judicial intervention, wage withholding orders,
notices of delinquency, suspension or restriction of licenses, asset garnishment, and other
administrative remedies authorized by this Act;

(© Provide or facilitate the provision of free legal assistance to indigent custodial parties, in
coordination with the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), DSWD legal services, or duly
accredited child welfare organizations;

(® Coordinate with courts, barangay officials, LGUs, and other competent authorities to
standardize procedures, promote compliance, and integrate child support enforcement
across all levels of governance.

SECTION 6. Organizational Structure of the Bureau. —The Bureau shall be headed by
an Executive Director, who shall have the rank and emoluments of a bureau director, and shall be
appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the


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Secretary of the DSWD, in accordance with applicable civil service and career executive service laws
and regulations.

‘The Bureau shall be composed of the following divisions and support units, which may be

modified or expanded by the DSWD as necessary for the effective implementation of this Act:

(@) Legal Services Division — Responsible for providing legal opinions and guidance to the
Bureau’s operational units; preparing enforcement notices; supporting custodial patties
through legal assistance programs; and coordinating with the DOJ, PAO, and other
competent bodies for the referral, support, or prosecution of civil, administrative, or
criminal cases arising under this Act

(b) Administrative Adjudication Division — Responsible for conducting impartial
administrative proceedings for the issuance, modification, and enforcement of child
support orders under this Act. This Division shall ensure observance of due process,
conduct hearings when requested, evaluate evidence presented by parties, and issue
reasoned resolutions or orders in accordance with applicable law and regulations. It shall
be independent from enforcement and legal advocacy functions within the Bureau.

(©) Case Management and Compliance Division ~ Responsible for intake, registration,
tracking, and resolution of child support cases, including monitoring compliance with
support orders and maintaining case files;

@ Enforcement and Inter-Agency Operations Division — Responsible for executing
administrative remedies, coordinating with government agencies for inter-agency data
sharing, and overseeing field enforcement operations;

(© Finance and Disbursement Division ~ Responsible for the receipt, processing, allocation,
and disbursement of child support payments, and ensuring proper accounting,
reconciliation, and audit compliance;

( Information Systems and Registry Division — Responsible for the development,
maintenance, and security of the National Child Support Registry and the Bureau’s digital
infrastructure, including ensuring compliance with applicable data privacy and
cybersecurity laws, implementing access controls, audit trails, and data protection
protocols to safeguard all personal and sensitive information collected and processed
under this Act;

@ Policy and Planning Division — Responsible for program design, policy development,
research, and performance monitoring and evaluation; and

(h) Administrative and Support Services Division — Responsible for human resource
management, procurement, logistics, records, and general services.

‘The DSWD may issue implementing rules or organizational guidelines to operationalize this

structure and allocate appropriate plantilla positions, subject to approval by the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

SECTION 7. Transfer of Functions and Resources. — All existing programs, functions,

personnel, appropriations, records, equipment, and other assets pertaining to or substantially related


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to child support enforcement that are currently dispersed across departments, agencies, bureaus, or
offices shall be identified by the DSWD, in coordination with the DBM and relevant agencies.

Such identified resources shall, subject to existing laws and regulations, be transferred or
integrated into the operations of the Bureau within a period to be prescribed in the IRR. The
transfer shall ensure continuity of services and protection of tenure and benefits of affected
personnel, and shall be carried out without prejudice to existing rights under civil service and labor
hws.

SECTION 8. Support and Coordination of Participating Agencies. All
departments, agencies, bureaus, offices, government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs),
and instrumentalities of the government are hereby mandated to provide full support and
cooperation to the Bureau in the implementation of this Act. This shall include, but not be limited
to:

(a) Granting the Bureau access to relevant data, records, and registries maintained by their
respective offices, subject to applicable data privacy laws and inter-agency agreements;

(b) Complying with requests or directives issued by the Bureau in the enforcement of valid
support orders and related enforcement actions authorized under this Act;

(© Designating 2 focal person or liaison officer within their respective offices to ensure
timely coordination and resolution of child support enforcement matters;

(@) Participating in the formulation and implementation of harmonized procedures,
reporting mechanisms, and inter-agency protocols necessary for the efficient operation
of the National Child Support System.

‘The DILG, the Department of Justice (DOJ), the DFA, the DOLE, the BIR, the PSA, the
LTO, the PRC, the COMELEC, the SSS, the GSIS, the PAO and the PhilSys shall be considered
primary cooperating agencies and shall prioritize their coordination with the Bureau. The DSWD
and the Bureau shall enter into memoranda of agreement with participating agencies to
operationalize this section and ensure data security, legal compliance, and administrative efficiency.

The implementation of this Act at the local level shall be supported by the City, Municipal,
and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Offices (SWDOs), which shall serve as field
operating arms of the Bureau. In accordance with guidelines to be set by the DSWD and subject to
memoranda of agreement, these offices shall assist in case intake, coordination with local authorities,
monitoring of compliance, and provision of appropriate support services, especially in urgent or
high-need cases.

SECTION 9. Rule-Making and Regulatory Authority. — The Bureau shall have the
authority to issue rules, guidelines, circulars, and administrative issuances necessary to carry out its
functions under this Act, consistent with the IRR and subject to the policy supervision of the
DSWD. Such issuances shall have binding effect upon all participating agencies, custodial parties,


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obligors, and other stakeholders, unless otherwise provided by law or enjoined by a court of
competent jurisdiction.

SECTION 10. Penal Provisions and Administrative Sanctions. — Any person who
willfully obstructs, defrauds, or refuses to comply with valid directives of the Bureau, falsifies
support records, or provides materially false information to evade support obligations shall, without
prejudice to civil or criminal liability under other laws, be subject to administrative fines and
penalties to be defined in the IRR.

SECTION 11. Budget, Appropriations, and Staffing. — The initial funding for the
establishment and operation of the Bureau shall be charged against the current appropriations of the
DSWD or from available savings. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for its continued
operation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

‘The DBM, in consultation with the DSWD, shall determine the necessary plantilla positions,
salary grades, and staffing pattern of the Bureau, consistent with the staffing norms of bureaus and
national government agencies.

SECTION 12. Internal Operational Manuals and Protocols. — The Bureau shall
develop and adopt its own internal operational manuals, protocols, and administrative issuances to
implement its functions under this Act, subject to the supervision of the DSWD and applicable laws,
rules, and regulations.

SECTION 13. Operational Mechanisms of the Bureau. — Pursuant to its mandate
under this Act, and without prejudice to the provisions of Sections 5 to 5-C, the Bureau shall carry
out the following operational mechanisms for the effective implementation and enforcement of
child support obligations.

SECTION 14, Quasi-Judicial Authority of the Bureau, — Pursuant to its enforcement
mandate under this Act, the Bureau is hereby vested with quasi-judicial authority to issue, modify,
and enforce child support orders through summary administrative proceedings. This authority shall
not constitute judicial power under Article VIII of the Constitution, but is authorized as a delegated
adjudicatory function in accordance with the standards, limitations, and procedural safeguards
provided in this Act.

Decisions and orders issued by the Bureau in the exercise of this quasi-judicial function shall
be based on substantial evidence, shall state the factual and legal basis thereof, and may be subject to
judicial review upon proper petition by an aggrieved party before a court of competent jurisdiction.

SECTION 15. Procedural Safeguards in Administrative Proceedings.. — To
operationalize its quasi-judicial authority, the Bureau shall observe the following minimum standards

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of administrative due process in all proceedings affecting the rights or obligations of parties under
this Act:

(a) Right to Prior Notice — The obligor shall be served written notice of the proceeding,
including the nature and basis of the action sought, and a summary of evidence
presented.

(b) Right to Respond — The obligor shall be given reasonable opportunity to file a verified
response, raise objections, or submit relevant evidence, within a period to be prescribed
by the IRR.

(© Right to Be Heard — The obligor may request an administrative hearing before any
adverse enforcement action is issued, unless waived or in cases of emergency or repeated
default.

(@ Ex Parte Proceedings — In cases where the obligor fails to respond within the prescribed
period without justifiable cause, the Bureau may proceed ex parte based on available
records and verified submissions.

(© Record of Proceedings ~ All proceedings shall be recorded in written or electronic form
and preserved in accordance with the Government Records Management Act and
applicable data protection laws.

(© Right to Appeal — Any final administrative order issued by the Bureau may be appealed
to the Secretary of the DSWD within fifteen (15) days from receipt, or to a court of
competent jurisdiction as may be provided by law.

@ Assistance of Counsel — Indigent obligors may request legal assistance from the PAO or
other accredited child support counsel, particularly in proceedings involving license
suspension, asset garnishment, or public disclosure.

(h) Prohibition Against Double Jeopardy ~ Enforcement actions under this Act shall be
administrative or civil in nature and shall not prectude separate criminal liability under
existing laws where applicable.

SECTION 16. Local and Barangay Coordination... —- In cases where the custodial party

first seeks recourse through local social welfare offices or barangay conciliation mechanisms, such
proceedings shall not bar or be a prerequisite to the filing of a petition before the Bureau. The
Burcau may also receive referrals from local or barangay authorities for action under this Act,

Provided That due notice, documentation, and certification of non-settlement are submitted. The
IRR shall define procedures for coordination with barangay authorities and LGUs, including intake
protocols, documentation requirements, and referral pathways to the Bureau.

SECTION 17. Location of Non-Custodial Parties and Obligors. — The Bureau shall

initiate location procedures for non-custodial parties and obligors for the purpose of establishing or
enforcing support obligations. For this purpose, it shall:

(@) Utilize inter-agency coordination and data sharing mechanisms in accordance with
Section 5-C, including memoranda of agreement with cooperating agencies;

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(b) Consolidate available information from employer records, public registries, declared
addresses, and other lawful sources to confirm the whereabouts and income sources of
the obligor; and

(©) Maintain a case tracking system for continuous updating of obligor status, compliance,
and enforcement actions.

SECTION 18. Establishment of Paternity in Cases Involving Unmarried or Disputed
Parentage. — Legal paternity shall be established as a condition precedent to the issuance of a
support order only in cases where the parents are unmarried or where paternity is not presumed or
legally recognized under existing law. For such cases, and where matemity is legally presumed or
medically established, the following shall apply:

(@ A voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, executed under oath by both parties and
properly witnessed, shall be legally binding and recorded by the Bureau;

(b) In the absence of voluntary acknowledgment, the Bureau or the custodial party may
initiate judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings for paternity determination, including but
not limited to genetic testing under the supervision of a competent authority;

(©) Results of properly conducted DNA testing showing a probability of at least 99% shall
constitute prima facie evidence of paternity, unless rebutted by other competent
evidence;

@ If genetic testing is ordered or facilitated through the Bureau or the court, the cost shall
initially be advanced by the State. However, if the alleged father is confirmed to be the
biological parent, he shall be required to reimburse the cost as part of the support
obligation. If paternity is not established, the alleged father shall not be held liable for
such reimbursement;

(©) In cases where the alleged father refuses to submit to a validly ordered paternity test
without justifiable cause, such refusal may be taken as an adverse inference and
considered in the resolution of the support case;

(® The Bureau shall ensure that the establishment of paternity under this section is
conducted without unnecessary delay and without being used as a means to indefinitely
postpone the issuance of a provisional support order when initial evidence and
circumstances reasonably warrant interim assistance.

SECTION 19. Issuance of Child Support Orders. — Child support orders may be
issued through either:
(a) Administrative proceedings conducted by the Bureau, under summary rules to be
prescribed in the IRR; or
(b) Judicial proceedings initiated by either party before the appropriate court with
jurisdiction over support matters.

All child support orders shall:

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1. Be based on the obligor’s financial capacity, the needs of the child, and applicable
support guidelines, including provisions for medical, educational, and childcare expenses;

2. Allow, where appropriate, in-kind support arrangements, Provided, That for
administrative proceedings, such arrangements shall be subject to prior assessment,
authorization, and monitoring by the Bureau.

SECTION 20. Enforcement of Child Support Orders. — In cases where an obligor fails
to comply with a valid support order, the Bureau shall initiate enforcement actions to ensure full and
timely satisfaction of the obligation. The following remedies, civil or administrative in nature, may be
employed independently or concurrently, subject to due process and to guidelines to be defined in
the IRR, including the hierarchy or priority of actions based on the severity and duration of
delinquency:

@ Income Withholding. The Bureau may issue income withholding orders directed to the
obligor’s employer, contracting agency, or other known income sources. Such orders
may be issued upon registration of a support order, whether or not arrears have
accumulated.

(©) Interception of Tax Refunds and Government Benefits. In coordination with the BIR,
the SSS, the GSIS, and other relevant agencies, tax refunds, unemployment insurance, of
other monetary benefits due to the obligor may be intercepted to satisfy unpaid child
support.

(© Garishment of Bank Accounts and Seizure of Assets. Upon determination of
noncompliance, the Bureau may initiate proceedings to garish funds from bank
accounts or seize personal and real property, in accordance with applicable laws and
subject to proper judicial or administrative process.

(@) Reporting to Credit Bureaus and Financial Institutions. Delinquent obligors may be
reported to accredited credit information systems or financial institutions as patt of civil
accountability enforcement, consistent with relevant credit reporting and data privacy
hws.

(©) License Suspension and Permit Restrictions. ‘The Bureau may recommend or directly
request the suspension, non-renewal, or restriction of any government-issued license,
permit, registration, or franchise held by the obligor, including driver’s licenses,
professional licenses, firearm permits, and business registrations, subject to due process.

(® Travel Restrictions. The Bureau may recommend to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) the
imposition of hold-departure orders or other travel restrictions on obligors who are in
persistent and unjustified noncompliance, in accordance with immigration and judicial
procedures.

(® Imposition of Liens. Child support arrears may be the subject of a lien over real or
personal property of the obligor, enforceable through judicial or administrative means
and registered with the appropriate government agencies.

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(b) Initiation of Legal Proceedings. The Bureau shall coordinate with the DOJ, the PAO,
and other relevant agencies to institute civil, administrative, or criminal actions against
delinquent obligors, where applicable.

@ Public Disclosure. The names of chronic or high-atrear obligors may be published in

accordance with data privacy safeguards and procedures to be prescribed in the IRR,

including notice and appeal mechanisms.

Interception of Lottery Winnings and Similar Lump-Sum Payouts. The Bureau, in

coordination with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine

Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and other relevant entities, may

intercept large lump-sum payouts, including lottery winnings, gambling prizes, or other

government-disbursed windfalls, to offset child support arrears, subject to notice and
verification procedures to be defined in the IRR.

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SECTION 21. Collection and Disbursement of Payments. — The Bureau shall operate
a centralized National Child Support Disbursement System to ensure secure, timely, and accountable
payment of support obligations. In doing so, it shall:
(a) Receive, process, and disburse payments in accordance with valid support orders, except
where direct payment is expressly permitted and verifiable;
(b) Enable remittance through wage deductions, electronic transfers, online portals,
authorized payment centers, or mobile applications;
(© Ensure timely disbursement to custodial parties and maintain accessible digital records
for both parties;
(@ Impose administrative penalties for delays, diversion, or misappropriation of payments
by either party, subject to due process.

In cases where the parties jointly request and the Bureau approves, direct payment may be
allowed, Provided That it is properly documented, verifiable, and does not impede timely reporting
or enforcement.

SECTION 22. Child Support Standards and Enforcement. — To ensure fairness,
accountability, and enforceability, the following standards and thresholds shall govern the
determination, collection, and enforcement of child support obligations under this Act:

SECTION 23. Determination of Child Support Obligation. — The obligation to
provide child support under this Act shall be determined in accordance with the following
principles:

(@) Baseline Standard. Each minor or dependent child under the care of the custodial party
shall be entitled to a minimum amount of support, which shall be prescribed in the IRR,
subject to periodic review and adjustment based on prevailing economic indicators,
regional variations, and family-based considerations.

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(b) Support Formula and Computation. Child support shall be computed using a uniform

formul,, to be detailed in the IRR, that considers:

1. The gross monthly income of both the custodial and non-custodial parties;

2. The number of children subject to the support order,

3. ‘The cost of reasonable living, education, medical care, and childcare needs of the
child; and

4. The percentage of time the child spends in cach household, in cases of shared
custody of substantial visitation.

(© Existing Child Support Obligations. If the obligor is currently subject to one or more
valid support orders involving other dependents, the financial obligations under such
prior orders shall be considered and deducted from gross income when determining the
new support amount, subject to verification and consistency with equity.

(@ New Legal Dependents. Where the obligor has other legally dependent children in their
current household or under existing support orders, such obligations shall be considered
in determining the obligor’s reasonable capacity to pay. This consideration shall aim to
equitably allocate support among all dependents, while upholding the principle that every
child is entitled to adequate and proportional support, regardless of the custody
arrangement or initiating party.

(©) Evasion and Manipulation Prevention. No obligor shall intentionally incur new financial
obligations, transfer assets, or alter houschold arrangements in bad faith for the purpose
of defeating, delaying, or reducing existing or pending child support obligations. The
Bureau shall have the authority to investigate, disregard such manipulative actions in
computing capacity to pay, and initiate appropriate administrative or legal sanctions
where bad faith is established.

SECTION 24. Lawful Excuse, Verified Financial Incapacity, or Substantial Change
in Circumstance. — No obligor shall be deemed in willful or deliberate default where there is a
showing of lawful excuse, verified financial incapacity, or substantial change in circumstance
affecting the ability to comply with a valid support order. Grounds for such claims may include, but
are not limited to:

(@) Involuntary loss of employment or income source;

(©) Permanent or long-term medical disability certified by 2 competent physician;

(© Imprisonment or legal detention;

(@ Natural disasters or calamities directly affecting earning capacity;

(©) Significant change in income, expenses, or resources;

(© Change in custody or living arrangements;

@ Increase in the number ot needs of dependents; or

(h) Other comparable circumstances duly recognized under the IRR.

Provided, That:
1. Such claims shall be submitted in writing, supported by verifiable documentation, and
shall be subject to periodic review;

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2. The Bureau shall have the authority to verify, assess, investigate, and validate the
authenticity of all supporting claims and documents, including by:
2.1. Requesting relevant employment, financial, or medical records;
2.2. Conducting interviews or home visits, subject to applicable laws; and/or
2.3. Coordinating with appropriate government agencies or authorized third parties.

3. Any fraudulent claim or material misrepresentation shall result in:
3.1. Immediate reinstatement or escalation of enforcement actions; and/or
3.2. Referral for administrative or criminal proceedings under applicable laws.

4, Nothing in this section shall preclude any party from seeking appropriate relief before a
competent court or authorized body, where judicial remedies are applicable or required
by law.

SECTION 25. Enforcement Thresholds and Escalation Guidelines. — The Bureau
shall initiate enhanced enforcement mechanisms if an obligor incurs arrears exceeding the equivalent
of three (3) months of the mandated support per child, unless exempted under Section 7-B of this
Act. This threshold shall apply to each child separately, and cumulative arrears shall be a ground for
escalation.

‘The IRR shall establish a graduated and threshold-based system for the escalation of
enforcement actions, guided by the severity, duration, and circumstances of noncompliance. Such
actions may include, but are not limited to, those enumerated in Section 6-D of this Act.

SECTION 26. Parties Authorized to File for Child Support. — The following persons
or entities may initiate a petition for child support under this Act:

@) A biological parent with custody of the child;

(b) A legal guardian recognized under law or by competent authority;

(© A de facto custodian or caregiver who has actual, continuous care and control of the
child, including but not limited to grandparents or extended family members;

@ The DSWD, or any duly authorized government or accredited child welfare agency, in
cases where the child is under protective custody or state care.

Provided, That an adoptive parent shall not be entitled to claim support from a biological
parent after final adoption; however, support obligations shall fully apply between adoptive parents
in the event of separation, annulment, of custody arrangements.

SECTION 27. Judicial Review of Administrative Orders. — Final orders, resolutions, or
decisions issued by the Bureau may be subject to judicial review before the appropriate Regional
‘Trial Court or the Court of Appeals, in accordance with the applicable Rules of Court or as may be
further provided in the IRR.

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A verified petition for review shall be filed within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the
assailed order. The reviewing court shall determine whether the Bureau:

(@) Acted within the scope of its statutory authority;

(b) Observed the requirements of administrative due process;

(©) Rendered a decision supported by substantial evidence; and

(@ Did not commit grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.

The filing of a petition for judicial review shall not, by itself, suspend the execution of the
Bureav’s order. Execution shall proceed as a matter of course, unless the reviewing court issues a
writ of preliminary injunction upon a cleat and convincing showing that enforcement would result in

grave and irreparable injury.

SECTION 28. Data Protection and Confidentiality. — The Bureau shall collect, use, and
share personal data solely for purposes authorized under this Act, in accordance with applicable laws
and regulations. To this end:

(a) Access to personal information shall be limited to authorized personnel and shall be
governed by inter-agency agreements that ensure confidentiality, security, and lawful use;

(b) All data sharing, whether manual or electronic, shall observe data minimization and
necessity principles, and shall be subject to logging, audit, and oversight mechanisms
established by the Bureau;

(© A designated Data Protection Officer (DPO) shall ensure the Bureau’s ongoing
compliance and coordination with the National Privacy Commission (NPC);

(@) Any misuse, unauthorized access, or unlawful disclosure of personal data shall be subject
to appropriate sanctions in accordance with the Data Privacy Act and other applicable
laws.

SECTION 29. Prohibited Acts. — The following acts are prohibited under this Act,
whether committed willfully or through gross negligence, and shall be subject to appropriate
administrative, civil, or criminal penalties, as may be provided by applicable laws, rules, and

regulations:

(@ Noncompliance with a Valid Support Order. Refusal or failure to comply with a duly
issued child support order, without lawful excuse or verified financial incapacity as
provided under this Act.

(b) Evasion of Support Obligations. Engaging in any act designed to defeat, delay, or reduce
child support obligations, including but not limited to:

1. Concealing or misrepresenting income, employment, ot assets;
2. Voluntarily reducing income or employment in bad faith;
3. Altering houschold arrangements to manufacture dependency or deflect liability;

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4. Refusing to undergo patemity testing ordered under this Act without justifiable
cause.

©) Submission of False Information. Submitting false documents, statements, or
declarations to the Bureau, courts, or cooperating agencies in relation to child support
proceedings or enforcement.

(@ Obstruction of Enforcement. Interfering with or refusing to comply with lawful
directives of the Bureau, or any authorized enforcement action under this Act.

(© Misappropriation of Child Support Funds. Failure to transfer or use child support
payments for the benefit of the child, when acting as intermediary or custodial patty.

() Unauthorized Access or Disclosure. Accessing, using, or disclosing confidential
information obtained under this Act without proper authority ot legal basis, including
personal, financial, or case-related data.

(® Retaliation or Intimidation. Threatening, harassing, or retaliating against any party, child,
or government personnel for initiating, participating in, or enforcing child support
actions.

(b) Failure to Report Material Changes. Failing to disclose substantial changes in financial
condition, employment, custody, or household status when such information is required
for accurate support determination or compliance monitoring.

@ Abuse of Legal Process or Authority. Using the mechanisms, filings, or processes under
this Act to harass, coerce, or unjustly burden another party, or to pursue illegitimate
claims or evasion.

Violations under this Section shall be subject to administrative sanctions by the Bureau,
including fines, enforcement escalation, ot referral to appropriate agencies for civil or criminal
prosecution. Aggravating circumstances, such as repeat violations, use of public office, or harm to
the child’s welfare, shall be grounds for enhanced penalties under the IRR.

SECTION 30. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DSWD shall, in consultation with the Bureau, the DBM, the CSC, the
DOJ, and other concerned government agencies and stakeholders, promulgate the necessary rules
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 31. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial implementation of
this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DSWD, or from other available
sources as may be determined by the DBM. Thereafter, the funds necessary for the continued
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 32. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

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SECTION 33. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section of this Act shall be
deemed unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections ot provisions shall not be affected and shall
remain in force and in effect.

SECTION 34. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general

circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved.

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