1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. __________ 
____________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE IRENE GAY F. SAULOG 
KALINGA PARTYLIST 
____________________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution recognizes the rights of women and children. 
Article XIII, Section 14 of the Constitution states that: 
The State shall protect working women by providing safe and healthful 
working conditions, taking into account their maternal functions, and such 
facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to 
realize their full potential in the service of the nation.  
Children’s rights are enshrined in Article XV, Section 3 (2) which 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, both women and children’s health are given priority by the Constitution. 
Article XIII, Section 11 declares that: 
The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health 
development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other 
social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority  
September 19, 2022
4:23 pm
4967




Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. __________ 
____________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE IRENE GAY F. SAULOG 
KALINGA PARTYLIST 
____________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND CRISIS ASSISTANCE CENTERS 
FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN EVERY PROVINCE AND CITY OF THE 
COUNTRY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8505, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "RAPE VICTIM ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION 
ACT OF 1998"  
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 8505 shall be amended to read as follows: 
"SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the [“Rape Victim 
Assistance and Protection Act of 1998”] RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND 
CRISIS ASSISTANCE FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN ACT OF 2019." 
SEC. 2. Section 2 of the same Act is hereby also amended to read as follows: 
"SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to [provide necessary assistance and protection for rape victims] VALUE 
THE DIGNITY OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN, DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS, 
AND RECOGNIZE THEIR ROLE IN NATION-BUILDING AND ALL 
4967


OTHER IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO 
PROTECT THEM.  
Towards this end, the [government shall coordinate its various agencies and non-
government organizations to work hand in hand for the establishment and operation 
of a rape crisis center in every province and city that shall assist and protect rape 
victims in the litigation of their cases and their recovery.] STATE SHALL 
ENSURE THE PROTECTION OF THEIR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND 
SHALL PROVIDE THEM WITH FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES 
THAT WILL ENHANCE THEIR WELFARE AND ENABLE THEM TO 
REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL IN THE SERVICE OF THE 
NATION. THE STATE SHALL ALSO ENDEAVOR TO PROVIDE WOMEN 
AND CHILDREN WITH UTMOST SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE WHICH 
SHALL INCLUDE AMONG OTHERS, LEGAL SERVICES, LIVELIHOOD 
AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING AND 
ALL OTHER ASSISTANCE NECESSARY TO PROTECT THEM AGAINST 
ALL FORMS OF NEGLECT, ABUSE, CRUELTY, EXPLOITATION AND 
OTHER 
ACTS 
PREJUDICIAL 
TO 
THEIR 
WELFARE 
AND 
DEVELOPMENT.” 
 
 
SEC. 3. Section 3 of the same Act is likewise amended to read as follows: 
 
“SEC. 
3. 
[Rape] 
RESOURCE 
DEVELOPMENT 
AND 
Crisis 
ASSISTANCE CenterS. – [The Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of the Interior and 
Local Government (DILG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and a lead non-
government organization (NGO) with proven track record or experience in 
handling sexual abuse cases, shall establish in every province and city a rape crisis 
center located in a government hospital or health clinic or in any other suitable 
place for the purpose of: 
 
“(a) Providing rape victims with psychological counseling, medical and 
health services, including their medico-legal examination; 


 
 
“(b) Securing free legal assistance or service, when necessary, for rape 
victims;  
 
“(c) Assisting rape victims in the investigation to hasten the arrest of 
offenders and the filing of cases in court; 
 
“(d) Ensuring the privacy and safety of rape victims; 
 
“(e) Providing psychological counseling and medical services when 
necessary for the family of rape victims; 
 
“(f) Developing and undertaking a training program for law enforcement 
officers, public prosecutors, lawyers, medico-legal officers, social workers, and 
barangay officials on human rights and responsibilities; gender sensitivity and legal 
management of rape cases; and 
 
(g) Adopting and implementing programs for the recovery of rape victims. 
 
“The DSWD shall be the lead agency in the establishment and operation of 
the Rape Crisis Center.] 
 
“THERE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 
AND CRISIS ASSISTANCE CENTERS FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN 
EVERY PROVINCE AND CITY OF THE COUNTRY, HEREINAFTER 
REFERRED TO AS THE "CENTERS." THESE CENTERS SHALL BE 
UNDER 
THE 
MANAGEMENT 
AND 
SUPERVISION 
OF 
THE 
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD) IN 
CONSULTATION WITH CONCERNED LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS 
(LGUs).  
 
“(A) COMPOSITION OF THE INTER-AGENCY COUNCIL TO BE 
KNOWN AS THE ADVISORY COUNCIL – AN INTER-AGENCY
 
COUNCIL SHALL BE CONVENED TO SET THE CRITERIA FOR 
THE SELECTION OF THE SITES OF THE CENTERS ALL OVER THE 
COUNTRY 
TAKING 
INTO 
CONSIDERATION 
THE 
EXISTING 
FACILITIES OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND LGUs, NON-
GOVERNMENT AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IN PARTNERSHIP 
WITH THE GOVERNMENT. THE COUNCIL SHALL BE COMPOSED OF 


AUTHORIZED 
REPRESENTATIVES 
FROM 
THE 
DSWD, 
THE 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
(DILG), THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH), THE DEPARTMENT 
OF JUSTICE (DOJ), THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY 
(DTI), 
THE 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
EDUCATION 
(DEPED), 
THE 
DEPARTMENT OF 
LABOR AND 
EMPLOYMENT 
(DOLE), THE 
NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (NEDA), 
THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION ON WOMEN (PCW), THE NATIONAL 
YOUTH COMMISSION (NYC), THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND 
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY (TESDA), THE WOMEN AND 
CHILDREN CONCERNS DIVISION OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL 
POLICE (WCCD/PNP), THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION 
(CHED) AND NON-GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE'S ORGANIZATIONS 
DULY ACCREDITED BY NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, 
SHALL BE INCLUDED AS MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL. 
THE INTER-AGENCY COUNCIL, DULY CHAIRED BY THE DSWD, 
SHALL ALSO ACT AS AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO OVERSEE THE 
EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CENTERS' PROGRAMS. 
 
“(B) FUNCTIONS OF THE CENTERS. – THE CENTERS SHALL 
HAVE THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS TO ENSURE COMPREHENSIVE 
AND INTEGRATED SERVICES: 
 
“(1) TO SERVE AS THE VENUE FOR CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING, 
CAPABILITY-BUILDING, 
AND 
FUNCTIONAL 
LITERACY 
ENHANCEMENT 
PROGRAMS, 
AMONG 
OTHERS, 
THAT 
WILL 
ENHANCE 
PUBLIC AWARENESS 
OF 
ISSUES AND 
PROMOTE 
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION; 
 
“(2) TO UNDERTAKE PROGRAMS GEARED TOWARDS THE 
DEVELOPMENT OF MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE, SELF-
ENHANCEMENT, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS FOR 
LIVELIHOOD 
GENERATION, 
SOCIAL 
COMMUNICATION, 
AND 


 
OTHER RELATED SKILLS WHICH WILL HELP WOMEN AND 
CHILDREN TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY; 
 
“(3) 
TO 
PROVIDE 
FREE 
LEGAL 
SERVICES, 
MEDICAL 
ASSISTANCE INCLUDING MEDICO-LEGAL EXAMINATIONS AND 
PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING TO  
VICTIMS OF RAPE AND 
OTHER CASES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN 
ENSURING THEIR PRIVACY AND SAFETY; 
 
“(4) TO UNDERTAKE ACTIVITIES RELATED TO MORAL 
RECOVERY AND  GENDER-SENSITIVE 
VALUES 
FORMATION, 
COUNSELING, REHABILITATION, AND PSYCHOSOCIAL PROGRAMS; 
 
“(5) PROVIDE TEMPORARY SHELTER TO ABUSED WOMEN 
AND THEIR CHILDREN; 
 
“(6) TO ASSIST RAPE VICTIMS OR VICTIMS OF OTHER FORMS 
OF ABUSES IN  
THE INVESTIGATION TO HASTEN THE ARREST OF 
OFFENDERS AND THE FILING OF CASES IN COURT; 
 
“(7) 
TO 
PROVIDE 
PSYCHOLOGICAL 
COUNSELING AND 
MEDICAL SERVICES WHEN NECESSARY FOR THE FAMILY OF RAPE 
VICTIMS OR VICTIMS OF OTHER FORMS OF ABUSES; 
 
“(8) TO PROVIDE 
SKILLS TRAINING 
OR 
LIVELIHOOD 
ASSISTANCE TO SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE;  
 
“(9) TO STRENGTHEN AND FACILITATE LINKAGES OF 
WOMEN'S AND  
CHILDREN'S 
GROUPS 
AND 
ORGANIZATIONS 
WITH 
RELEVANT 
GOVERNMENT 
AGENCIES 
AND 
LGUs 
TO 
MAXIMIZE THE DELIVERY OF BASIC AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR 
WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND ADVOCATE FOR THE PROTECTION 
AND ADVANCEMENT OF THEIR RIGHTS;   
 
“(10) 
TO 
DEVELOP 
AND 
UNDERTAKE 
A 
CONTINUING 
CAPACITY-BUILDING AND  
TRAINING 
PROGRAM 
FOR 
FRONTLINE SERVICE PROVIDERS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED 
TO, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, PUBLIC PROSECUTORS, 


LAWYERS, 
MEDICO-LEGAL 
OFFICERS, 
PSYCHOLOGISTS, 
DEVELOPMENT WORKERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, HEALTH WORKERS, 
THERAPISTS, AND BARANGAY OFFICIALS ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND 
RESPONSIBILITIES; 
GENDER 
SENSITIVITY 
AND 
LEGAL/CASE 
MANAGEMENT  OF SITUATIONS/CASES INVOLVING WOMEN AND 
CHILDREN; AND 
 
“(11) TO PERFORM SUCH OTHER FUNCTIONS AS MAY BE 
NECESSARY TO CARRY  OUT THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS ACT. 
 
“(C) CLIENTS OF THE CENTERS – ALL WOMEN AND 
CHILDREN UNDER THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL BE 
ENTITLED TO PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE BY THE CENTERS:   
 
“(1) VICTIMS OF PROSTITUTION AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION; 
 
“(2) VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ABUSE AND BATTERY; 
 
“(3) VICTIMS OF RAPE, INCEST, SEXUAL ABUSE, HARASSMENT 
OR MOLESTATION; 
 
“(4) VICTIMS OF ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT, TRAFFICKING 
AND/OR LABOR EXPLOITATION; 
 
“(5) 
VICTIMS 
OF 
ARMED 
CONFLICT, 
NATURAL 
OR 
ENVIRONMENTAL 
DISASTERS 
WHO 
ARE 
SUFFERING 
FROM 
TRAUMA DUE TO THE TRAGIC DEATH OR DISPLACEMENT OF 
FAMILY MEMBERS, DISLOCATION OR LOSS OF LIVELIHOOD; 
 
“(6) ABANDONED AND RUN-AWAY WOMEN AND CHILDREN; 
 
“(7) WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN DETENTION; 
 
“(8) VICTIMS OF ANY FORM OF VIOLENCE AND SUFFERING 
FROM ANY CRISIS SITUATION; 
 
“(9) VICTIMS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, 
PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES NEEDING SPECIAL 
SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE; AND 
 
“(10) VICTIMS OF OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES AS MAY BE 
DETERMINED BY THE DSWD. 


 
 
“(D) D. PERSONNEL/STAFF COMPLEMENT OF THE CENTERS. – 
EACH CENTER SHALL BE HEADED BY A FEMALE DIRECTOR WHO 
HOLDS A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK OR COMMUNITY 
DEVELOPMENT 
OR 
SIMILAR 
COURSES, 
HAS 
A 
MINIMUM 
EXPERIENCE OF FIVE (5) YEARS IN COUNSELING, SOCIAL AND 
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES AND OTHER RELATED FIELD OR 
EXPERIENCE, AND POSSESSES A PROVEN TRACK RECORD AS AN 
ADVOCATE OF WOMEN'S ISSUES AND EXPERTISE IN GENDER-
RESPONSIVE 
TRAINING 
AND 
PROGRAMS 
FOR 
CAPABILITY-
BUILDING AND IS OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER. 
 
“THE SECRETARY OF THE DSWD, IN CONSULTATION WITH 
THE HEADS OF THE CONCERNED LGU SHALL APPOINT THE 
DIRECTOR AND OTHER NECESSARY PERSONNEL OF THE CENTER. 
THE STAFF COMPLEMENT OF THE CENTER SHALL BE SUBJECT TO 
THE 
APPROVAL 
OF 
THE 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
BUDGET 
AND 
MANAGEMENT. 
 
“VOLUNTEERS FROM THE VARIOUS NON-GOVERNMENT 
ORGANIZATIONS MAY EXTEND PROFESSIONAL, HOUSEHOLD, 
RECREATIONAL, AND TRAINING EXPERTISE TO THE CENTERS. 
STUDENTS OF SOCIAL WORK AND WOMEN STUDIES AND OTHER 
RELATED PROGRAMS WHO ARE IN PRACTICUM COURSES MAY 
RENDER 
VOLUNTARY 
SERVICES 
TO 
THE 
CENTERS. 
THE 
PERSONNEL AND STAFF AS WELL AS VOLUNTEER WORKERS SHALL 
UNDERGO REGULAR TRAINING ON HOW BEST TO HANDLE THE 
DIFFERENT 
SITUATIONS 
OF 
THE 
BENEFICIARIES 
OF 
THE 
CENTERS.” 
. 
 
 
 
SEC. 4. R.A. 8505 is hereby further amended by inserting the following new Sections 
after Section 3 thereof:: 


  
“SEC. 4. REHABILITATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. – 
THE DSWD, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE INTER-AGENCY COUNCIL 
CONVENED UNDER  
SECTION 3(A) HEREOF, SHALL WITHIN SIX 
(6) MONTHS FROM THE APPROVAL OF THIS ACT, FORMULATE A 
PROGRAM 
FOR THE 
REHABILITATION, 
DEVELOPMENT AND 
PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN, MENTIONED IN SECTION 
3(B) HEREOF. THE COUNCIL SHALL ALSO OVERSEE THE EFFECTIVE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMS OF THE CENTER AND 
MONITOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF PARTICIPATING AGENCIES. 
IT SHALL ALSO ACT AS AN ADVISORY BOARD.   
  
“THE DSWD MAY CALL ON NATIONAL AGENCIES AND LGUs, 
ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 
TO ASSIST IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT BY WAY OF 
PROGRAM 
COLLABORATION AND 
FUNDING AUGMENTATION, 
AMONG OTHERS. 
  
“SEC. 5. AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT DONATIONS. – THE DSWD, 
THROUGH THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES, MAY ACCEPT 
DONATIONS AND GRANTS, BOTH DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN, FOR 
PURPOSES RELEVANT TO THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CENTERS. THE 
DONATIONS AND GRANTS SHALL BE ALLOTTED TO VARIOUS 
CENTERS IN SUCH AMOUNT AS MAY BE DEEMED BEST BY THE 
DSWD OR FOR THE PURPOSES SPECIFIED BY THE DONOR. SUCH 
DONATIONS AND GRANTS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO PERTINENT 
ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING RULES AND REGULATIONS.” 
 
 
 
 
SEC. 5.  Sections 4, 5 and 6 of R.A. 8505 are hereby renumbered accordingly as Sections 
6, 7, and 8.  
 
 
SEC. 6.  Sections 7 and 8 of R.A. 8505 are hereby deleted. 
 


 
 
SEC. 7.  Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall 
be included in the budget of the DSWD under the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
 
 
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days upon the 
approval of this Act, the DSWD and all concerned agencies shall formulate rules and regulations 
as may be necessary for the proper implementation thereof. 
 
 
 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. – If any part, section, or provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts thereof not affected thereby shall remain valid.  
 
 
 
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this 
Act are deemed amended, modified or repealed accordingly. 
 
 
 
SEC. 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,