Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
“The child is recognized, universally, as a human being who must be able to develop physically, 
mentally, socially, morally, and spiritually, with freedom and dignity1.” 
As poverty increases in the country’s urban centers, there is also a corresponding rise in the 
number of street children who have been neglected by their parents and are not receiveing 
adequate care, proper nutrition and formal education. Considering the reponsibility of State to 
uphold 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, it is only apt to legislate measures towards the protection of these street 
children.  
In this regard, this measure seeks to protect steet children from circumstances which endanger 
their survival and normal development. This measure proposes to establish crisis centers in every 
region which shall provide proper care and nutrition to street children. This bill also provides for 
the incorporation of livelihood, technical, social programs, which would help the children become 
productive members of society.  
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
1 Declaration of the Rights of the Child, 1959 
August 13, 2021
5:30 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CRISIS CENTER FOR STREET CHILDREN IN EVERY 
REGION OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 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 “Street Children Crisis Center Act”. 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared as policy of the State to defend the right 
of children to assistance, including the proper care and nutrition, and to provide them with special 
protection against all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other condition prejudicial 
to their development.  
Sec. 3. Coverage. – This Act shall cover all persons below eighteen (18) years of age and 
roaming in the streets without supervision of adults, whether parents, relatives or friends.  
Sec. 4. Program Framework. – There shall be a comprehensive program to be formulated by 
the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with the Department 
of Interior and Local Government (DILG), to protect street children from circumstances which 
endanger their survival and normal development. Such program shall include but not limited to 
the following: 
(a) Emergency medical and feeding program;
(b) Temporary shelter for street children who have been separated from their respective
homes who have been staying in the streets;
(c) Basic educational, legal and counsel services;
(d) Immediate rehabilitation program for those identified as substance abusers;
(e) Programs geared towards the acquisition of livelihood, technical, social and other related
skills, which would help the children become productive members of society;
(f) Support system provided by the Local Government Units;
(g) Referral network of assistance consisting of other government agencies;
(h) Program for securing foster homes or employment best suited to the individual child's
capacity, training and personality;
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(i) A follow-up program for monitoring the progress of each child, after certain period of time, 
to determine other development needed to further enhance the normal development of 
the child; 
(j) Information, education and communication campaign/programs to promote the objectives 
of this Act; and 
(k) Such other functions as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this Act. 
 
Sec. 5. Implementing Agency. – The program shall be implemented by the Department of 
Social Welfare and Development in close coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs) 
concerned.  
 
The local officials may call upon private and responsible volunteers of the community to assist in 
the care of the street children by providing consultative services for medical, educational and 
other needs of children.  
 
Sec. 6. Functions of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. – The 
Department shall: 
(a) Formulate the criteria for the selection and qualification of street children who shall be 
covered by this Act; 
(b) Provide training for crisis center workers, counselors and other volunteers; 
(c) Coordinate activities of non-government organizations with the crisis center workers and 
other social workers of the Department on order that their services may be fully utilized 
for the attainment of the program goals; 
(d) Protect and assist abused, neglected or exploited children and secure proper government 
assistance for said street children; and 
(e) Promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations with in (6) months from the 
effectivity of this Act. 
 
Sec. 7. Appropriations. – The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be taken 
from the following sources: 
(a) The funds for the establishment, maintenance and operation of the crisis center for street 
children in every region shall be included in the General Appropriations Act as part of the 
annual budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. 
(b) Funds for the establishment of sub-regional crisis center, as may be deemed necessary 
shall be included in the budget of the LGUs concerned. 
 
Sec. 8. Authority to Accept Donations. – The Department of Social Welfare and Development 
may accept donations and grants, both domestic and foreign, for purposes relevant to the 
functions of the crisis centers. These donations and grants shall be allocated among the regional 
crisis centers nationwide.  
 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. – If any portion of this Act be declared unconstitutional, the 
remainder of the Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.  
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations and executive orders 
contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
 
Sec. 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fi􀀚een (15) days after its publication in at least 
two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.  


 
Approved,