• 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No.~85 
J' ,. 
, Ll~. 
Introduced by Senator LOREN LEGARDA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill mandates the establishment of crisis centers for street children all over the 
country. The rights and welfare of Filipino children are governed by several existing 
laws and policies on children such as: 1) RA 7610 also known as the Special Protection 
of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act; 2) RA 9231 also 
known as the Act Prohibiting Employment of Children in Hazardous Areas; 3) PD 603 
or the Child and Youth Welfare Code; 4) RA 9262 or the act Defining Violence against 
Women and their Children; 5) RA 9231 or the Act Providing for the Elimination of the 
Worst Forms of Child Labor and Affording Stronger Protection for the Working Child; 
6) RA 9344 also known as the Act Establishing a Comprehensive Juvenile Justice and 
Welfare System; and 7) RA 9208 or the Act to Institute Policies to Eliminate Trafficking 
in Persons Especially Women and Children. However to date, there is no specific law 
that addresses the special conditions and needs of street children. 
I 
Under this bill, the crisis centers to be established in every city or municipality shall 
have a comprehensive program that will provide various services such as temporary 
shelter, emergency medical and feeding programs and basic education. This provision 
of services shall be implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD), in close consultation with the local government units concerned. Moreover, 
this measure will assist in providing street children the means to uplift their conditions 
and take them out of the streets through programs that will equip them with livelihood, 
technical and social skills. 
Finally, this proposed measure authorizes the implementing agency to accept donations 
and grants from local and international organizations in order to supplement the 
appropriated funds for the establishment, maintenance and operation of the street 
children crisis centers. These funds will be distributed accordingly to the various crisis 
centers within the city or municipality. The additional funds will ensure that a higher 
number of street children will be provided the necessary attention and assistance. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
~-----.~ 
~.:::~:.--
~A~ 
Senator 


, -, 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 'REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Reg1llar Session 
SENATE 
) 
) 
_ S.B.No. 685 
Introduced by Senator LOREN LEGARDA 
AN A<;:T 
ESTABLISHING A CRISIS CENTER FOR STREET CHILDREN 
IN ALL CITIES AND MUNICIPA,LITIESIN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION 
AND iN EVERY HIGHLYURBANIZED~ITY IN TflE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES. -
Be it enacted by' the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act sh"ll be known as the "Street Children Crisis Center 
2 
Act of 2013." 
3 
4 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared ~s policy of the state to 
5 
defend the rights of children to assistance, including the proper care and nutrition, and 
6 
to provide them with special protection against all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, 
7 
exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development. 
8 
9 
Towards this end, there is hereby established a Crisis Center for Street Children in every, 
10 
city or municipality in the National Capital Region and in every highly urbanized city 
11 
in Luzon, VisaYFls arid Mindanao. Such crisis center shall serve as temporary shelters 
12 
and rehabilitation center for the street children. 
13 
14 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - "Street Child.renl' shall be defined-as those perso,ns 
15 
below 18 years of age and ~re living in the streets without supervision of adults; 
16 
whether parents, relatives or friends. 
17 
18 
SEC. 4. Program Fri\mework.- There shall be a'Tomprehensive program for the 
19 
street children which the crisis center shall provide. Such program shall include but are 
-20 
nqt limited to the following: 
21 
(a) Emergency medical 'lnd feeding services; 
1 


1 
(b) Temporary shelter for street children who have been separated from their 
2 
respective homes and who have been straying in the streets; 
3 
(c) Basic educational, legal and counsel services; 
4 
(d) Immediate rehabilitation program for street children identified as prohibited 
5 
substance abusers; 
6 
(e) Programs geared towards the acquisition of livelihood, technical, social and other 
7 
related skills which would help the street children become productive members 
8 
of society; 
9 
(f) Support system provided by LGUs; 
10 
(g) Referral network of assistance consisting of other government agencies; 
11 
(h) Information, education and communication campaign to promote the objectives 
12 
of this Act; and such other functions as may be necessary. 
13 
14 
SEC. 5. Implementing Agency. - The program shall be implemented by 
15 
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in close coordination with the 
16 
LGUs concerned. 
17 
18 
The city or municipal officials may call upon private volunteers who are 
19 
responSible of the community and utilize them to assist in the care of street children by 
20 
providing consultative services for medical, educational, and other needs of the street 
21 
children. 
22 
23 
SEC. 6. Functions of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. - The 
24 
Department shall: 
25 
26 
(a) formulate the criteria for the selection and qualification of street children who 
27 
shall be covered by this Act; 
28 
(b) provide training for crisis center workers, counselors and other volunteers; 
29 
(c) coordinate activities of non-government organizations with the crisis center 
30 
workers and other social workers of the Department in order that their services 
31 
may be fully utilized for the attainment of the program goals; and, 
32 
(d) protect and assist abused, neglected or exploited children and secure proper 
33 
government assistance for said street children. 
34 
SEC. 7. Funds for the Crisis Center, Program and Crisis Center Workers. - The 
35 
funds for the establishment, maintenance and operation of the street children crisis 
2 


"..' 
·1 
1 
center shall, be appropriated from the National Budget and shall be included in the 
2 
General Appropriations ~ct as part of the budget of the Department of Social Welfare 
3 
and Development. 
4 
5 
A portion of the health programs available to the Philippines under official aid or 
6 
official debt arrangements from foreign countries, the amount to be determined by the 
7 
Office of the President, shall be extended in support of the crisis centers. 
8 
9 
SEC. 8. Authority to A,"cept Donations. - The DSWD may accept donations and 
10 
grants, both domestic and foreign, for purposes relevant to the functions of the crisis 
11 
centers. These donations and grants shall be allocated among the various crisis center 
12 
within the city or municipality as my be deemed appropdate. 
13 , 
14 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any portion 0:1" provision in this Act be declared 
15 
unconstitutional, the remainder Of this Act or any proviSion not affected thereby shall 
16 
remain in force and effect. 
17 
18 
SEC. 10. Repeflling Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules and regulations, and 
19 
executive orders contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
20 
modified accordingly. 
21 
22 
SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This act shall take effect upon its approval and 
23 
completion of its publication in at, least two, (2)' national' newspapers of general 
24 
circulation. 
25 
26 
Approved, 
3