PR
Zs BE ESE

. Yo
RECEIVED
Fifteenth Congress FEB 2012
Republic of the Philippines) ne he Al
Second Regular Session : TES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House BLM. _ 5738

Introduced by Representative Maria Evita R. Arago

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This bill seeks the observance of a National Children’s Day on November 20 of
every year. Section 3 of Article XV of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall
defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and
special protection form all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other
conditions prejudicial to their development. The Philippines, also a signatory to the
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, is to protect and preserve the
rights of children to survival, development, and the freedom to protect their interests.

A number of children in the Philippines have been unfortunate victims of abuse,
engagement in hazardous labor, child pornography, economic difficulties and life
threatening situations. One of the means to protect the rights of children is to clevate
the level of awareness among Filipinos on the rights and welfare of children. The
heightened education and consciousness through the holding of activities observing the
National Children’s Day on the stipulations of the Convention of the Rights of the Child
would help the cause of children in the furtherance of the protection of their rights.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

wl tllsg TA A ARAGO

District of Laguna



+ Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives

f Quezon City

Fifteenth Congress
Second Regular Session
Avnet ERD

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Maria Evita R. Arago

’ AN ACT.
DECLARING NOVEMBER 20 OF EVERY YEAR AS NATIONAL CHILDREN’S DAY

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. This Act shall be known as the “National Children’s Day Act.”

Section 2. November 20 of every year is hereby declared as thé “National
Children’s Day” to promote consciousness over the protection of the rights of Filipino
children and the importance of fostering their well-being to secure the growth and
development of society.

This declaration shall likewise commemorate the United Nations General
Assembly ratification of the Convention on-the Rights of the Child and in recognition of
the United Nations celebration of Universal Children’s Day.

Section 3. Pursuant to the observance of the National Children’s Day, an
annual program of activities shall be prepared and implemented with the Department of
Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the
National Youth Commission (NYC) and the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC)
as lead agencies. ¥

The DepEd shall facilitate and encourage the commemoration of this day in all
private and public schools nationwide. The Philippine Information Agency (PIA), in
coordination with the DSWD, DepEd, NYC and CWC shall ensure effective information
dissemination of this Act.

Section 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.

Approved,