SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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

House Bill No. 1620

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was originally introduced as House Bill No. 3333 by the undersigned
Rufus B. Rodriguez during the 15" Congress where it was approved by the Committee on
Women and Gender Equality and substituted by House Bill No. 6155. It was subsequently
approved on 2™ reading, approved on 3” reading and was transmitted to the Senate
where it was not acted upon.

The first six years of life are known as the formative years. The kind and quality of
care given during this period is, therefore, very crucial

The parents, under normal circumstances, play a major role in enriching the child's
environment as the primary sources of learning and developmental experiences
However, this may not be the case in over seventy percent of the Filipino homes where
many poor parents have insufficient resources, knowledge, and opportunities to promote
early childhood training,

The increasing number of street children, the low achievement levels in
elementary education despite huge investments by the Government, and the inability of
many young children to complete schooling are among the problems attributed to
inadequate parental guidance and attention.

Mothers may become so preoccupied with office or farm work that they can no
longer attend to the needs of their children. In families where there are many children,
mothers may not be able to attend to the needs of their pre-school children as priority has
to be given to the care of infants and younger children.

It is for these reasons that Women’s Community Support Centers are sought to be
established. The centers will not only provide substitute maternal care for children, but
would also serve as a center through which the livelihood programs, literacy programs
and the population programs of the Government may be brought to the grassroots. It is
hoped that the centers may serve as a complete support system for working women

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

RUFUS/B. RODRIGUEZ

wot ren JR


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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

1620

House Bill No.

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 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 2013.”

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 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 POTENTIALS 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 COUNSELLING 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 Acts 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 heaith clinic or

in any other suitable place for the purpose of

“(a) Providing rape victims with psychological counselling, 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 counselling and medical services whenever
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, NONGOVERNMENT 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 AUTHORITY
(TESDA), THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN CONCERNS DIVISION OF THE


PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (WCCD/PNP), THE COMMISSION ON
HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) AND NONGOVERNMENT 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 CHIDREN TO BECOME
PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY;

“(3) TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
INCLUDING MEDICO-LEGAL EXAMINATIONS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL
COUNSELLING 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,
COUNSELLING, REHABILITATION AND PSYCHOSOCIAL PROGRAMS;

“(8) TO 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 COUNSELLING 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 LEGALICASE 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 CHILREN
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.

“(l0) VICTIMS OF OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES AS MAY BE
DETERMINED BY THE DSWD.

“(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 COUNSELLING, 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
TRAININGS 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 CENTERS. THE STAFF
COMPLEMENT OF THE CENTERS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE
APPROVAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT
(DBM).

“VOLUNTEERS FROM THE VARIOUS NONGOVERNMENT
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 TRAININGS ON HOW BEST TO HANDLE THE DIFFERENT
SITUATIONS OF THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE CENTERS.”



SEC.4. Republic Act No. 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 CENTERS 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 THE 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 Republic Act No. 8505 are hereby renumbered
accordingly as Sections 6, 7 and 8.

SEC.6. Sections 7 and 8 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
ules 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,