Repub‘ic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

- FIFTEENTH CONGHE!
First Regular Session

Eas
22 NAR 2011

COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

Submitted by the Commgrgeegayvomen & Gender Equality on
Re: House Bill No.__“£& 0"
Recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill Nos. 1480 and 3427

Sponsors: Representatives Ma. Angelica M. Amante-Matba, Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel,

Luzviminds C, llagan, Emerenciana A, De Jesus Rufus Rodriguez and Maximo B. Radriguez

Mr. Speaker:

She Committee on Wornen & Gender Equality to which were referred House Bill Nos. 1480
introduced by Representatives Luzviminda ©. llagan and Emerenciana A. De Jesus, entitled

AN ACT
DECLARING NOVEMBER TWENTY-FIVE O£ EVERY YEAR AS “NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS DAY FOR
THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN”

and House Bill No. 3427 introduced by Representatives Rufus B. Rodriguez and Maximo B. Rodriguez,
Jr.. entitled:

AN ACT
DECLARING NOVEMBER TWENTY-FIVE OF EVERY YEAR AS THE NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS DAY
FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
4434

has considered the same and recommends that the attached House Bill No. entitied:

AN ACT
DECLARING NOVEMBER TWENTY-FIVE OF EVERY YEAR AS “NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS DAY FOR
THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN"

be approved in substitution of House Bill Nos. 1480 and 3427 with Representatives Luzviminda C.
ilagan, Emerenciana A. De Jesus, Rufus 8. Rodriguez, Maximo B. Rodriguez, Ma. Angelica M. Amante-
Matha, Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel, Antonia L. Tinio, Bernadette Ramirez Herrera-Dy, Lani
Mercado-Revilla, Jane T. Castro, Maria Jocelyn V. Bernos, Abigail Faye C. Ferriol, Neri J. Colmenares,
Teddy A. Casifio, Ratael V. Mariana, Raymond V. Palatino, Reena Concepcion 6. Obillo and Maria
ssabelle ‘Beng’ G. Climaco as authors thereof.

Respectfi

f MA, ANGEL! ATBA
‘Chairperson, Committee on Women & Gender Equ

THE HONORABLE SPEAKER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY



‘ippines
TATIVES

THEONGRESS

SO mo om wire

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First Regular Session

4434

* House Bil. No

(In substitution of rouse Bil! Nos. 1480 and 3427}

Introduced ny Representatives cuzviminda C. Lagan,
Maximo 8. Rodriguez, Ma, Angelica M, Amanze-Macba, Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel, Aatonis {

Tinia, Bernadetie Ramirez Herrere-Dy, Lani Mercado-Revilla, Jane T. Castro, Maria Jocelyn V. 3emas,
Adigas Faye C Ferriol, Neri 1. Colmenares, Teday A. Casifio, Rafael V. Mariano, Raymond V. Pai
Reena Concepcion &. Dbitio and Maria isabelle ‘Beng’ 3. Climaco

AN ACT DECLARING NOVEMBER TWENTY-FIVE OF EVERY YEAR AS “NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS
DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN”

Se it enacted by the Senate and the House of Reprwsentatives of the Philippines in Cong

ossembied

CTION 1. In recognition of the need to establisn a comprehensive and structured
campaign for national consciousness on anti-violence against women, Novernber 25 of every year is
nereby dectared as 2 "National Consciousness Day far the Elmination of Violence Against Women”.

Sec. 2. The following activities shali de underaken in observance of this occasion:
(a) Meads of government agencias and instrumentalities, gove-nment-
owned-and-contralled corporations, local government units, and employe-s
in the private sector shall together with their employees, o: wage
Or particioate in activities designed to raise public awareness on the
problem of violence agains: women and the elimination of all forms of

violence against women.

ions Operations Office (PCOD),
st and

(b} The Presidencial Communi
Philippine information Agency togetner with the Bureau, of Broa
Other members of the government media concerned shall be mandated to
allocate a minimum of one Aour airtime for programs exciusively raising
Public awareness on the probiem of violence against women and the
elimination of alt forms of violence against women, Relative therets, ali
Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas-attiitated television and radio
networks nationwide are encouraged to allocate airtime for said prograrns.

ic] ___ Publishers of iocat newspapers and magaznes shall be encouraged
to highlight the problem of viotence against women and the elimination of
all farms of wolence against women.

{d)___The Department of Education (Dep£D), the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED} and nica’ Education and Skills Developmen:
Authority {TESDA), in coordination’ with the Philippine Commission on
Women {PCW) formerly the National Commission an the Role of Filipino
Women (NCRFW}, women non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and
ether NGOs advacating for women’s human rights, shall lead public and



consciousness raising

organiain
n of

t womer: and the elimi

private schoo! communicies at all evels
activities an tne prose of violence age!
all forms of viawsnce aga:nst women

‘tazistics Qitice (NSO), the Philippine National Palice {PN?),
{25w5)}, tne Department of Labor and Employma:

i" Pnitippine embassies and consulates snal,, in
ing and systematization of databases on aii forms

The Natiowa’

coardimaz.on witn che PCW, undertake dete gacher
Of visience against women, including Filipina women working and/or residing abroad. These

agencies small consolidate their findings and make 2 report to the public every November 25 97 eact
year, om the statistics and status af violence agains: women.

Ste 4 Tha PCW and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (\ACAT),

ronstizuted under Section 20 af RA 9208 or the Aati-Trafficxing in Persons Act Of 2003 and tne tnter-
ncil en Violence Against Waren and Their Childyen [IAC VAWC), constivted sn:
ast Wornen and meir Children Act of 2094, snati

Agency Co:
jon 3S af RA $262 oF the Anti-Violence Ag:
coordinate, manizor and evaluate the activ:ties outlined in the annual 18-day campaign 2: che

Az the regional level, the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking and VAWC
{RIACAF-VAWC) shall likewlse coordinate, monitor and evaluate said activities for the annua!
campsign ai the provincial, city, municipal and barsngay level. They shall! also make an annual repos
of thei: finc'ngs 10 be reported to the public every November 25,

Tne PCW, IACAT AND THE IAC-VAWC snall ikewise coordinate and tap the expertise of ctner
ment agencies and institutions like he Movie and Television Review and Classification Ssard
nd the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), as well as other private secor

organizatiors in Lhe implementation of activities for the 18-day campaign.

s, programs and

cS. Funds for the impiementstion of the aforestated acti
projects sraii be taken out of the 5% Gender and Deveiopment budget allotted to all govern
and loca‘ government units as mandated by Section 36 of Republic Act 9710 ar the Magna

age

Carta of Women.

6 if, for any reason, any section ar provision of this Act is held 2 ae
cational or invalid, the validity of other sections herein shal! nol be affected thereby.

uneanss
SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen {15} days following its publication in two
national newspapers of general circulation.

Aparoved,


FACT SHEET

House BillNo. 4434
(In Substitution of House Bill Nos 1480 & 3427 )

AN ACT DECLARING NOVEMBER TWENTY-FIVE OF EVERY YEAR
AS “NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN”

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVES LUZVIMINDA C. ILAGAN, EMERENCIANA A. DE
JESUS, RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ, MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, MA, ANGELICA M.
AMANTE-MATBA, JOSEPHINE VERONIQUE LACSON-NOEL, ANTONIO L, TINIO,
BERNADETTE RAMIREZ HERRERA-DY, LAN! MERCADO-RE| VILLA, JANE T. CASTRO,
MARIA JOCELYN V. BERNOS, ABIGAIL FAYE C. FERRIOL, NER! J. COLMENARES,
TEDDY A. CASINO, RAFAEL V. MARIANO, RAYMOND V. PALATINO, REENA
CONCEPCION G. OBILLO AND MARIA ISABELLE ‘BENG’ G. CLIMACO

Committee Referral. COMMITTEE ON WOMEN AND GENDER EQUALITY (PRIMARY)
‘Committee Chairperson’ REP. MA. ANGELICA M. AMANTE-MATBA

OBJECTIVE

«To provide an enabling mechanism for Resolution 54/134 on the Internationat
Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (VAW) which the United
Nations General Assembly adopted at its 83" plenary meeting of the 54 session
‘on December 17, 1999.

KEY PROVISIONS

* Recognizes the need to establish a comprehensive campaign for national
consciousness on violence against women (VAW).

* Mandates heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, government-
owned and controlled corporations, local governments units, and employers in
the private sector together with their employees to organize, engage or
participate in activities designed to raise public awareness and elimination of
VAW ;

« Mandates the Presidential Communications Operations (PCOO, Philippine
information Agency (PIA) together with the Bureau of Broadcast and other
members of the government media concerned to allocate a minimum of one (1)
hour airtime for programs exclusively raising public awareness on the problem of
\VAW and the elimination of all forms of VAW:

* Mandates the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA). in coordination with the Philippine Commission on Women
(PCW), women non-governmental organizations and other non-governmental
organizations advocating for women’s human rights to lead all public and private
schoo! communities at all levels in organizing consciousness raising activities on
the problem of violence against women and the elimination of all forms of

violence against women;


* Mandates the National Statistics Office (NSO), the Philippine Nationa! Police
(PNP: tof -Seeial Welfare and—Devel :
Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE), the Department of Foreign Affairs
(DFA), and ail Philippine embassies and consulates in coordination with the
PCW to undertake the data gathering and systematization of a database on all
forms of violence against women, including Filipino women working and/or
residing abroad;

= Creates a compliance and monitoring team composed of the PCW and the Inter-
Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking (IACAT). the Inter-Agency Committee on
Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (IACAVAWC) and the
Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking and VAWC (RIACAT-
VAWC) on the activities outlined in the annual 18-day campaign.

* Uses funds which will be taken out of the five percent (5%) Gender and
Development (GAD) budget allocated to all government agencies and local
government units.for the implementation of activities, programs and projects.

RELATED LAWS

Republic Act No. 7192 (Women in Development and Nation Building Act)
Republic Act No. 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995)

Republic Act No. 8353 (Anti-Rape Law}

Republic Act No. 8505 (Rape Victims Assistance and Protection Act of 1998)
Republic Act No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) and

Republic Act No. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of
2004}

+ Republic Act No. 9710 (Magna Carta of Women)


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

——o— = Quezon City Meteo Masta —— -

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1480

House Bill No

a

Introduced by Gabriela Women's Party
Representatives LUZVIMINDA C. LAGAN and EMERENCIANA A. DE JESUS

EXPLANATORY NOTE
ne of the most pervasive problems of wamen worldwide is gender violence.
Everywhere and at all ages, women are victims of violence. To address this problem, the United
Nations has generated various international instruments and urged governments to pursue
policies and programs that will empower women to advance their rights and welfare and

prevent gender violence.

Specifically, the United Nations Decade for Women (1976-1985) rallled governments and
women’s organizations and other nen-governmental organizations to focus on violence against
women as this hinders women’s participation in development and the promotion of their
homan rights, Thus in 1979, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women (CEDAW) was held to mobilize State Parties to take appropriate action® DP
violence against women. This paved the way for the passage by the UN General Assembly of the
Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women in December 1973.

The Beijing Platform for Action, a blueprint {or the women's advancement In countries
ground the world adopted by governments in 1995 during the Fourth World Conference on
Women also fisted 12 critical areas of concerns, which include ending violence against women
and promoting women’s human rights. At the national level, in recognition of the imporiance of
the role of women in nation building, the Philippine government ratified RA. No. 7192, or
Women in Development and Nation Building Act (1992) which guzrantees equal participation ot
women in nation building, Specific measures were also enacted to address specific forms of
violence against women. These are: RA 7877 or Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995, RA 8353 or
‘Anti Rape Law, classifying rape as a crime against persons, RA 8505 of Rape Victims Assistance
and Protection Act af 1998, crating a women's crisis center in every province and RA 9208 or
Anti Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

While these efforts have contributed to bringing into the fore the violence committed

against women, the fact remains that physical, sexual, psychological and state violence continue
to be perpetrated against women. In the Philippines, 1 in 5 aged 15 to 49 has experienced
physical violence since age 5 {NSO}. From 2002 to November 2008, 51,104 VAWC cases were
eoeorded by the PNP-WPCC, with 9,485 cases in 2008. Sexual harassment cases increased from
807 in 2008 to 960 in 2009. Eight out of ten cases of violence against women were perpetrated

by men.


This situation is only reflective of the pervasive thinking that wornen are mere objects
that can be abused for men’s and society's convenience. On a deeper analysis, this situation
___- reflects an existing-wnequalpower-relatios beweenmen-and women and the inequities in the

prevailing socio-economic structures in many countries such as the Philippines:

Despite economic modernization and political advancement, the traditional values, that
treat women as secondary citizens, have remained generally intact as these have been passed
on from generation to generation. {t is time that we discard the values that treat women as

secondary citizens.

The pervasive patriarchal culture that views and treats women as objects and properties
of men must be transformed into one that looks and treats women as equal partners in
development and nation building. Towards this, a massive education and reorientation on
gender roles in society and the important contributions specifically of women in society must De
incessantly and systematically carried out. Legislative measure is one of the instruments that
can promote positive values towards women, uphold the dignity and human rights of every
person in society, and appreciate the vital contributions of women and men in national

development.

‘At the international level, the United Nations General Assembly on its 83rd plenary
meeting of the 54th session on December 17, 1999 adopted Resolution 54/134 on the
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The UN General Assembly in
this resolution, decided to designate November 25 as International Day for the Elimination of
Violence Against Women.

In the said resolution, the UN General Assembly invites, as appropriate, Governments,
the relevant agencies, bodies, funds and programmes of the United Nations system, and other
international organizations and nongovernmental organizations to organizé on that day
actwities designed to raise public awareness of the problem of violence against women.

Also in the same resolution, the UN General Assembly expresses concern that some
groups of women, such a5 women belonging to minority groups, indigenous women, refugee
women, migrant women, women living in rural or remote communities, destitute women,
women in institutions or in detention, the girl child, women with disabilities, elderly women and
women in situations of armed conflict, are especially vulnerable to violence. It also exhibits
slam that women do not fully enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms, and
concern about the long-standing failure to protect and promote those rights and freedoms in
relation to violence against women.

In the resolution, member states also recognize that violence against women 15 2
manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led
to domination over and discrimination against women by men, and the prevention of their full
advancement. They also affirmed that violence against women is one of the crucial social
mechanisms by which women are forced into subordinate positions, compared with men,

November 25 is significant to many women’s organizations and movements worldwide.
This was the day when three sisters (Patria, Maria Teresa and Minerva Mirabal) from the
Dominican Republic, who were involved in activities against the Trujillo dictatorship, were
inated in an accident on November 25, 1960. The sisters referred

persecuted and later on assassi
“ave become a symbol of

to as the "inolvidables Maripasas", the "Unforgettable Butterfties,
the victimization of women. They have become symbols against prejudice and stereotypes.


‘The death of the three sisters caused public uproar not only in the Dominican Republic

batin tho whole Latin American region, The protests also-spreachinr otter countries se that a t6~

Day of Activism Campaign Against Gender Violence which starts on November 25 and ends on
December 10 every year was launched by 23 women organizations from 20 countries led by the

Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. °

In the Philippines, as early as 1999, women organizations have been commemorating
November 25 as the International Day Against Violence Against Women. Consciousness-raising
activities, protest actions, seminars and theater presentations have been mounted during this
day to highlight the issue of violence against women. However, these efforts are very limited

and center mainly in the key cities of the country.

sm for this UN General Assembly resolution at the national
ery year be observed in the Philippines as a
n-af Violence Against Women and that

To have an enabling mechani:
level, this bill proposes that November 25 of evs
National Consciousness Day For the Eliminat
appropriate mechanisms be made availabie to realize this effort.

Toward this end, the support of this bill is earnestly sought.

ys, Ant

Saguanartee é
LUZVIMINDA C. ILAGAN EMERENCIANA A, DE JESUS
Gabriela Women's Party Gabriela Women's Party List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

‘Quezon City, Meteo Kianila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

14890

House Bill No.

Introduced by Gabriela Women's Party
Representatives LUZVIMINDA C. ILAGAN and EMERENCIANA A, DE JESUS

AN ACT
DECLARING NOVEMBER TWENTY-FIVE OF EVERY YEAR
AS “NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF
. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN”

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

need to establish a comprehensive and structured campaign for

SECTION 1. tn recognition of the
national consciousness on anti-violence against women, November 25 of every year is hereby

declared as a “National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women’.

SECTION 2. The following activities shall be undertaken in observance of this occasion:

fa) Heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, government-owned-and -
controlled corporations, focal government units, and employers in the private
sector shall together with their employees, organize, engage or participate in
activities designed to raise public awareness on the problem of violence against
women and the elimination of all forms of violence against women.

tb) The Philippine Information Agency shall be mandated to allocate a minimum of
one hour airtime for programs exclusively raising public awareness on the
problem of vialence against women and the elimination af ail forms of violence
against women. Relative thereto, alt Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas-
affiliated television and radio networks nationwide are encouraged to allocate

airtime for said programs.

{c) Publishers of local newspapers and magazines are encouraged to highlight the
problem of violence against women and the elimination of all forms of violence

against women.

id} The Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education and the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in.coordination with the
Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), women non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) and other nongovernmental organizations advocating for
women's human rights, shall ead public and private schoo! communities at all
levels in organizing consciousness raising activities on the problem of violence
against women and the elimination of all forms of violence against women.


SECTION 3. The National Statistics Office, Philippine National Police, the Department of Social
Welfare and Development, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of

Foreign Affairs and all Philippine embassies and consulates shiatl, trr courdirration-with-the-PEW,—
se viertake data gathering and systematization database 00 all forms of violence against women
including Filipine women working and/or residing abroad. These agencies shaft consolidate their
findings and make a report to the public every November 25 of each year, on the statistics and
status of violence against women.

a duly designated representative ot

SECTION 4. A compliance and monitoring team headed by
plementation of this Act. Sais team

the PCW shalt be created to coordinate and monitar the im!
Shall be composed of one representative from each of the following agencies:

{a) The Philippine Commission on Women;

{b} The Department of Social Welfare and Development:

(c) The Department of Education;

{d) The Commission on Higher Education;

{e} The Department of interior and Loca! Government;
(The Department of Foreign Affairs:

ig) The Department of Justice:

(h} The overseas Workers Welfare Administration;

{) The Philippine Overseas Employment Agency

{) The Mavie and Television Review and Classification Board; and
{k) Three NGO representatives coming from the sectors of women, children, and

overseas Filipino workers.

the team shall be headed by the duly designated representative of the Philippine
.n. Members of the team shall receive emoluments as may be determined

Commission on Wome!
ting rules and regulations.

by the team in accordance with existing budget and accou

ed activities, programs and projects

SECTION S. Funds for the implementation of the aforestat
budget allotted to all government

shall be taken out of the 5% Gender and Development
agencies and local government units.

SECTION 6. If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is held to be unconstitutional
or invahd, the validity of other sections herein shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in two national

newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 7

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

3.427

House Bili No,

EXPLANA~ORY NOTE

In 1979 the Convention on the Efminatio.’ of All forms of Discrimination
Against Women (CEDAW) was convaned to inobilize State Parties to take
appropriate against violence against women, This paved the way for the
passage by the UN Genera! Assembly of the Declaration on the Elimination of
Violence Against Women in December 4979 an the Beijing Platforrn in 1995.

Republic Act No. 9170, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of
Women, was enacted as our counitry's responie to its obligations under the
CEDAW,

Republic Act No. 7877, or Ani-Sexua Harassment Act of 1995;
Repub'ic Act No, 8353, or Anti Rape Law Republic Act No, 8505, or Rape
Victims Assisiance and Protection Act cf 1993; Republic Act No. 9208, or
AntiTrafficking in Person Act of 2CO3 and Rept blic Act No, 9262, or the Anti-
Violence Against Women and Childrer Act were also enacted,

The United nations General Assembly, ¢n December 17 19¢0 adapted
Resolution 54/134 designating Novetber 25 as the International Day for
Elimination of Violence Against Women, Said Resolution invites members of
the United Nation to organize activities designed to raise public awareness of
the problem of violence against women,

This bill proposed that Noverrber 25 of every year be observed in the
Philippines as a National Consciousra3s Day or the Elimination of Violence
against Women and that appropriate mechanisms be made to realize this
effort.

‘Approval of this bill is earnestly requested

RUFYS B. Ri IGUEZ

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION i -

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maxmo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

aAaon
House BliNo._ ¢427

AN ACT
DECLARING NOVEMBER TWENTY-FIVE GF EVERY YEAR AS THE
NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS DAY FOF THE ELIMINATION OF
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

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

SEC.1. In recognition of the need :o establish a comprehensive
and structured campaign for natonal consciwusness on against violence
against women, Novembe- 25 of every yeal -is hereby declared as the
“National Consciousness Day for tre Elimtinatior of Violence Women.

SEC. 2. The following activities sha! be undertaken in observance
of this occasion:

fa) Heads of government agen:ies and instrumentalities,
govemment-owned and conirolled corporations, local government units, and
employers in the private sector shall, ioether with their employees, organize,
engage. or participate in activities designed to aise public awareness on the
problem of violence against women and the elimination of all forms of violence
against women.

(©) The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) shall be mandated to
allocate a minimum of one (1) hour atime for programs exclusively raising
public awareness on the problem of violence against women ard the
elimination of ail forms of violence against women. Relative thereto all
Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster 1g Fiipinas-affiliated television and radio
networks nationwide are encouraged t2 allocated airtime for said programs.

(c) Publisher of loca! newspzpers ard magazines are encouraged
to highlight the problem of violence aga’nst wc nen and the elimination of ait
forms of violence against women

(a) The Department of Eduzation (D-dEd), Commission on Higher
Education (CHED), and Techrice! Educatiun and Skills Development


Authority (TESDA), in coord:-nation with the Pnilispine Corimission on women
(PCW), women nor-governriental orgarizations and other non-governmental
organizations advocating for women’s human rights, shal lead public and

prvate school communities at all lieve in orgenizing consciousness raising
actvities on the problems of violence against wemen and the elimination of all
forms of violence against wemen

SEC.3. The National Statistics Office (NSO), Philippine Nationa!
Police (PNP) Department of Social Welfare and Development {OSWD),
Department of labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Fore gn Affairs
(CFA) and all Philippine embassies and consuictes shall, in coordination with
the PCW, undertake date gathering and systematization of its database on all
forms of violence against women, including Filipino women working or
residing abroad. These agencies shal consolidcited their findings and make a
report to the public on the statistics and status of violence against women
every November 25 of each year,

SEC.4. A compliance and monitoring team headed by a duly
designated representative of the >CW shall te created to coordinate and
monitor the implementation of this Act Said team shall be composed of one
(1) representative fram each of the foll2wing agencies:

fa) Pow

(bo) DSwo;
(©) DepEd:
(d)  CHED;

(®) Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
() DFA:

ig) Department of Justice (DOS:

ih) Overseas Workers Wellare Administration ‘OWWA);
() Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA):

10] Movie and Television Review and Classification Board
{MTRCB); ane

{K) Three (3) representatives of no-governmental organizations
from the sectors of women, children and overseas Filipino
workers,

The team shall be headed by the duly designated representatives of
the PCW Members of the team stall recei'ed emoluments as may be


determined >y the team in accordarce with esisting budget and accounting
rules and regulations.

SEC.5: Funds for the ‘riplemertations of the afore-stated
activities, programs, and projects shall be taker out of the five percent (5%)
Gender and Development budget alisited to alt government agencies and
local government units.

SEC.6. If, for any reason, any secion or provision of this Act is
held to be unconstitutional or invalid, the validit, of other sections herein shall
not be affected thereby.

SEC.7. This Act shall take effect jfteen (15) days following its
publication in two (2) national newspzpers of ge rerai circulation.

Approved.



Republic of the Philippines:
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Mets Manila

HON. JOSEPH EMILIO A. ABAYA
Congressman, {st District, Cavite
Chairman, Committee on Appropriations

March 8, 2011

HON. MA. ANGELICA M. AMANTE-MATBA

Chairperson
Committec on Women and Gender Equality

Dear Chairperson Amante-Matha:

Please be informed that the Committee un Appropriations in its meeting held today at
Conference Rooms 9 & 10, R.V. Mitra Building, zpproved to report out Substitute Bill to
House Bill Nos. 1480 and 3427, catitled “AN ACT DECLARING NOVEMBER
TWENTY-FIVE OF EVERY YEAR AS “NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS DAY
FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN?” without

amendment,

Very tuly yours,

Rep. Emerenciana A. De Jesus
Rep. Rufus B. Rodrigucz
Rep. Maximo B. Rodriguez, Je.



Repvbhe of the Philippines
Houst of Representatives

Committee on Women & Gender Equality (CWGE)

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THE HONORABLE
REP. JOSEPH EMILIO A, ABAYA Sutiral Na
chairman, Committee on Appropriations

: Ms. Cecilia C. de Sahagun

Thru
Technical Staff Chief
Ms, Julieta R. Apostal
Service Director
Ms. Carolyn Q. Bukuhan
Committee Secretary
Your Honor:

CWGE) in its meeting held 23 November 2030,
CLARING NOVEMBER TWENTY-FIVE OF EVERY
CNATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST
WOMEN’." 2 consolidation of House Bill Nos. 1480 (Reps. “uzviminds C. Hagan & Emerenciana A. De
Jesus/ehanges referral from the Committee on Revision of Laws to the Committee on Women &
Gender Equality) and 3427 (Reps. Rufus B. Rodriguer & Maximo B. Rodrigue? Jr)

The Committee on Women & Gender Equality {

approved the Substitute Bill entitled, "AN ACT DE

YEAR AS

May we therefore refer for your funding comments Section 5 of the Substitute Bill.

‘attecned for puidance are the following: Unnumberes Sudscitute Bill, Minutes of the Meeting
er 2010, House Bill Nes. 1480 & 3427. no

deted 23 Neve!

For approoviate action.

Very truty yours, ~
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Canad ,

iy MA. ANGELICA M. Al
1 & Gender Equality
Eek nn ref Comenctin

Chair, Commute on Wor

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Vay ot


Republic of the Pnilippincs
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
15” Congress
First Regular Session

MINUTES OF THE THIRD (3"°} MOTHER COMMITTEE MEETING CONDUCTED BY THE

COMMITTEE ON WOMEN AND GENDER EQUALITY
November 23, 2010, 1: 30 p.m., Ramon V. Mitra Conference Rooms 7 & 8

AUTHORS PRESENT:

1

2

Rep. Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr
Partylist Abante Mindanao
Rep, Luzviminda C, llagan
Partylist Gabriela

GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE:

Ms, Emmeline L. Verzosa
Executive Director, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW)
Ms. Gert A. R. Libang

Deputy Secretary General, Gabriela Alliance

Ms. Betty Lou Pefiera

GAD Focal Person, Philippine information Agency (PIA)

CALL TO ORDER

Rep. Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noel {Lone Dist, Malabon City), Acting Chair and
Senior Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Women and Gender Equality called the
meeting to order at 1:54 p.m. The calling of the Roll was dispensed with upon motion of
Rep. llagan duly seconded by Rep. Antonio L. Tinio (Partylist ACT Teachers).

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

‘On motion of Rep. ilagan duly seconded by Rep. Bernadette R. Herrera-Dy (Partylist
Bagong Henerasyon), the Minutes of the organizational meeting held on September 14,
2010 was approved.

DELIBERATIONS/ACTIONS ON MEASURES:

Rep. llagan manifested that the Gabriela Women's Party refiled a legislative proposal
{HB 1480], the contents of which are exactly the same as House Bill No. 3427 referred to
the Committee on Revision of Laws last August 2, 2010. After her manifestation, she
moved to tackle simultaneously the aforementioned bills awaiting signature of the


Chairperson of the Committee on Revision of Laws for change of referral of House Bil
No. 3427 to the Committee on Women and Gender Equality as mentioned earlier by the
Acting Chair in her opening remarks. Rep. llagan also moved to fastrack the
consolidation of the bills as soon as said request is anproved by the Committee on Rules
and for the immediate submission of the committce report.

‘At this point, the Committee Secretary, upon the instruction of the Chair, informed the
body that the committee has just received information that the Chair of the Committee
on Revision of Laws conforms to the request for change of referral of House Bill No.
1480. For information of the body, she alsa said that technically there is no approval yet
as to the change of referral, hence it was not included in the agenda, but with the
premise that as soon as it is approved both bills will be consolidated for reporting out.
She further said that the Chair of the Committee an Revision of Laws also signified her
intention to become a co-author of the bill.

Rep, Rodriguez, co-author of House Bill No, 3427 read the explanatory note of the same
bill as his sponsorship speech.

Rep, liagan also gave some details on the significance of November 25 as the National
Consciousness Day for the Elimination of VAW. She stated that it is a very significant day
10 all women organizations and movements worldwide because on November 25, 1960,
three Mirabal sisters known as “Inolvides Mariposas” or unforgettable butterflies from
the Dominican Republic who were involved in some activities against the “Trujillo
dictatorship” were persecuted and later assassinated. The three, according to her
became a symbol of the victimization of women and ongoing prejudices and
stereotyping that women suffer from. Their death created a big uproar not onty in their
country but also in the whole of Latin America which spread to other parts of the world.
Since then, the 16-day campaign ceiebration of activism against VAW starts on
November 25 and ends in December 10 coinciding with the Human Rights Day launched
every year by various women organizations and movements all over the world.

She also informed the bady that as early as 1999, their women’s group has already been
commemorating this very significant day with protest actions and consciousness
awareness-raising activities so that people would know the manifestations of VAW. She
added that efforts are still limited and hindered by lack of resources and for many other
reasons, hence they proposed that November 25 cach year should be declared as
Nationat Day of Consciousness for the Elimination of VAW based on the declaration of
the United Nations General Assembly so that appropriate mechanisms should be taken
to realize this etfort.

Ms. Versoza of PCW expressed their support to the proposed legislative measure. She
also echoed the statement of Rep. llagan that they have been observing the significance
of November 25 and that all efforts must be done to eliminate VAW. She likewise
informed the body that the 18-day campaign was materiafized by virtue of Presidential
Proclamation No. 1172 in 2006 when the 16-day of activism was increased by two days,
ending in December 12 which is the Anti-Trafficking Day that is when the Philippines and
other countries signed the Convention on Transnational Crimes which included a
Protocol on Anti-Trafficking {known as the Palermo Protocol} which was signed in
Palermo, Italy.


She said that since 2002, the Phitippines has participated in this worldwide campaign to
eliminate VAW which resulted in heightened awareness on VAW issues that ied to the
passage of landmark legislations addressing violence against women and their children
in 2004 and human trafficking in 2003, among others. The previous campaigns also
highlighted the popularization of the newly passed laws, including the other Anti-VAWC
laws on rape and sexual harassment. She also mentioned that the Philippine
Information Agency (PIA) was involved in the Committee on Violence Against Women
Coordinating Committee which was convened by the then NCRFW. In the years that
followed, they called on better implementation of the law by putting more efforts to
disseminate information which is not enough so they asked the National Statisties Office
(NSO) for a National Dernographie and Health Survey in 2008 that includes a chapter on
VAW and in their survey of 14,000 households which includes more than 9,000 women
aged 15-49, one out of five experienced physical abuse, and one out ten experienced
sexual abuse which can run into like 4 million which is the projected number but
comparing it with reported cases of the police for 2009 figures is about 9,500 reported
cases while Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) records about
5,000. The barangay officials as collected by the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG} reported only about 15,000 women reporting VAW cases so there is
a big number of wornen suffering in silence not reporting abuses inflicted on them

She also mentioned the importance of stepping up the campaign so that women as well
as men will be aware that it is wrong to abuse women. She likewise emphasized the
significance of the law and further said that globally the UN Secretary General has
organized UNite to End VAW and has been collecting signatures from governmen: heads
for support. She alsa took the opportunity to enjoin the Members of the House of
Representatives to sign and show to the world that the top level officials in the
Philippines are committed to end VAW. Recently, they reiterated the campaign covering
the period 2008-2015 with the objective of raising public awareness, increasing political
will and resources for preventing and responding to all forms of VAW and girls in all
parts of the world. The UN SecGen called also on governments, civil sociezy, women
organizations, young people, private sector, artists, media and the entire UN system and
individual women and men te jain forces in addressing the global pandemic of VAW and
Birls, she added,

She also made some recommendations, as follows:
1. To further strengthen the provisions outlined in Presidential Proclamation No.
1172, this proposed measure may include the provision mandating the PCW and
the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking (IACAT} and Inter-Agency
Committee on Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (IACAVAWC} to
coordinate, monitor and evaluate the activities outlined in the annual 18-day
campaign at the national level and at the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on
Anti-Trafficking and VAWC {RIACAT-VAWC), down to the provincial, city,
municipal and in some municipalities they have at the barangay level a specific
provision on reportorial functions may also be included in the section;

2, Having noted that the contents of Section 2 of HB 3427 on "Roles and
Responsibilities of Government Agencies and other Institutions” are already
included in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (JRR) of RA 9208 and RA
9262, she suggested chat this section may instead mandate agencies to
institutionalize their Ant-VAW efforts as part of their GAD mainstreaming
activities so that also to ensure women should have GAD budget that can be
used;


3, They also suggested that instead of creating a separate compliance and
monitoring team, the bill could instead mention that existing anti-VAW
mechanisms at the national level in coordination with PCW and that the
regional, provincial, city and municipal IACATVAWC at the regional and local
levels shall coordinate and monitor the impiementation of the Act; and

4. To ensure the participation of agencies that are non-members of the national
Anti-VAW and human trafficking councils, the proposed measure may include 2
provision mandating the PCW and the IACAT and IACVAWC to coordinate and
tap the expertise of other agencies and institutions like for example the Mowe
and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration (OWWA) in the impicmentation activities for the 18-day
campaign and maybe the private sector like the Rotary.

She also cited the limitation of IACAT and IACVAWC because they are focused on the
two farms of violence so rape and sexual harassment are not included further stressing
that if the call is for the elimination of ali forms of VAW then it should be included as
well as other forms of VAW. Before ending her presentation, she enjoined legislators to
the launching of the 18-day campaign “Magna Carta ni Pinay, Gawing Tunay” and
announced the holding of a forum an Women’s Priority Legislative Agenda (WPLA)
partnering with House of Representatives. She stressed that they are pushing for the
amendment of other Anti-VAW laws on Anti-Trafficking and Anti-Prostitution Laws and
others.

Ms. Libang of Gabriels Alliance thanked the committee for the invitation to attend the
meeting. She said that the campaign against VAW is a flagship program of Gabriela
Alliance since 1984 which ‘s also the birth of their organization. Even with numerous
anti-VAW laws, VAW still continues stating that based on recorded cases that every
hour, one woman falls a VAW victim which is under reported.

She pointed out that they were atarmed with various rape cases last October to
November of this year including gang rapes throughout the country specifically
mentioning the case of Florence, a volunteer nurse in Upi, Maguindanao. She
emphasized that awareness on violence against women should be a daily concern.

Ms, Pefiera said that PtA is fully supportive of the bill and she was very pleased to report
to the body that PIA Chair Coloma is the chairperson of the Gender Equality Committee
composed of Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), Movie and Television Review and
Classification Board {MTRCB), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC),
Advertising Board (ADBOARD) and the Advertising Council of the Philippines. She
further said that they are also supportive of 18-day campaign on VAW. She made 2
recommendation to include an expanded coverage since the government media is
supposed to be under one organization in the leadership of Secretary Coloma with PIA
as one component together with the Bureau of Broadcast and the rest of the
government media. She added that if there is going to be an amendment on said bills,
they are suggesting that the Presidential Communications Operations Office should be
included in its key provisions necause said office is composed of the then Office of the
Press Secretary, PIA, Bureau of Broadcast which has 27 or 31 radio stations, NBN 4, RPN
8, IBC 13, National Information Bureau, Bureau of Communications Services and others.
She also suggested to strengthen the law by probably making it an 18-day campaign
instead of one day because the made is raising public awareness. She also suggested for
the increase in penalties to be meted for violators as well as involve the educationat



system in the advocacy. She stressed the need to look at it as a holistic probuem so the
advocacy should not be relied on media alone but it should also touch the hearts and
minds of parents, teachers, communities, and legislators. She also mentioned that the
PCOO has government media as its members, the PIA has a Gender Equality committee
and there are a lot of active private sectors. She mentioned that the Kapisanan ng Mga
Broadkasters will be producing their own television ad on VAW and the Film Academy of
tthe Philippines was able to put up in the cinema houses three-minute VAW trailers, She
alsa informed the body that the MTRCB will produce a 3-minute infomercial on VAW and
following the trend in media technology, the PIA will also be putting up a website to
catch the interest of the public who are using the Twitter, Facebook and other media
social networking, She also mentioned that with the Radyo ng Bayan having around 31
stations airing VAW awareness campaign and the private sector campaign through KBP
which will surely tap Channel 2, DZMM, D2BB and others, there is no reason that the
campaign will fail, She also suggested to include in the bill the participation of the
private sector and also the Gender Equality Committee of the Secretary. Ms. Pehera
stressed further that they are in full support of the bill and would like to be in
partnership with the private sector, gavernment sector and the legislative sector.

Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla (2° Dist., Cavite) asked PIA on their experience regarding the
allocation of their GAD fund and as to whether they really allocated or witl they be
allocating certain amount for the production of VAW materials, etc. which entails a lot of
expenses. Ms. Pefera responded that they are allowed to allot 5% of PIA’s budget for
this kind of activities but since it entails a lot of expenses they do a lot of
adjusting/improving of whatever materia’s they have in the past since it delivers the
same message on VAW and she further said that VAW campaign is @ never ending
advocacy.

Rep. Herrera-Dy expressed her desire to be a co-author of the bitl and likewise Rep.
Mercado-Revilla mentioned that she has signed the co-authorship on her intention to
become also a co-author of the bill. Rep. Mercado-Revilla also suggested that the
members of the committee be also made as co-authors of the bill which prompted Rep.
Hagan to say that all members present will be co-authors of the bill

Rep. Tinio moved for the approval in principle of House Bill No, 3427 in consolidation
with House Bill No. 1480 bill which was duly seconded by Rep. Jane Castro (2 Dist.,

Capiz)

At this juncture, the Acting Chair instructed the committee secretariat to prepare the
committee report upon approval by the Committee on Rules the change of referral of
House Bill No, 1480 from the Committee on Revision of Laws to the Committee on
Women and Gender Equality.

Rep. Tinio moved to amend his previous amendment that amendments made should be
subject to style considerations which was fikewise noted by the Chair. Rep. Castr
suggested that in Section 4, subparagraph (a) should be deleted as well as the mention
of PCW in the second paragraph citing that it is already redundant since it was already
‘mentioned in the first paragraph.


IV, OTHER MATTERS

Rep. Revilla took the opportunity to request the committee to help assist an OFW -the
mother of baby George Francis, on the case fiied against her by the NBI on the alleged
abandonment of her child. The lady soion said that she is privy to the actual facts of the
alleged child abandonment case. She said that she will furnish the committee a copy of
her privilege speech as requested by the Chair,

Rep. Lacson-Noel likewise informed the body that there is an on-going exhibit at the
North Lobby in the observance of the commemoration of the International Day of
Elimination of Violence against Women (IDEVAW). She likewise expressed her gratitude
and appreciation to those who participated in the opening program and ribbon-cutting
ceremonies last November 22. She added that the exhibit which started last November
22 will end on November 25, 2010.

She also announced that the Committee on Women & Gender Equality, In collaboration
with the Philippine Commission on Women and other concerned committees of the
House, will conduct @ Farum on Women's Priarity Legistative Agenda on December 7,

2010, Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., RVM Conference Room 6. She expressed hope that the
committee members witl be present on said forum

v. ADJOURNMENT

On the duly seconded motion of Rep. llagan, the meeting was adjourned. It was 2:50
pm

thereby certify to the correctness of the foregoing minutes.
fastmr Jorg,

BEATRIZ L. SANGA
Committee Secretary

Approved py: .

REP. JOSEPHINE VERONIQUE R. LACSON-NOEL
Acting Commitfee Chairperson/Senior Vice Chairperson