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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
7 .IUN 30 r’d :! 3 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
) 
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 the Republic Act No. 7610 also known as the Special 
Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act; Republic 
Act No. 9231 also known as theact Prohibiting Employmrnt of Children in Hazardous Areas 
and Presidential Decree No. 603 or the Child and Youth Weyare Code. Yet, there is no 
specific law that addresses the special conditions and needs of the street children. 
According to the Council for the Welfare of Children, in the year 2000, there are 
45,000 street children nationwide. 75 percent of them stay on the street most of the time; 
20 percent practically live on the streets alone or with their family and/or friends; and 
the remaining 5 percent are street children who have experienced abuse or have been 
abandoned and are engaged in illegal activities. National and local government 
agencies, along with non-government organization, work hand in hand in order to 
uplift the situation of the Filipino street children. But there are numerous needs that 
have yet to be met. 
Under this bill, the crisis centers to be established in every city or municipality 
shall have a comprehensive program that will provide various assistances such as 
temporary shelter, emergency medical and feeding programs and basic education, 
which will be implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, 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 acceptance of donations and 
grants from local and international organization by the implementing agency 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. 
rc 
LOREN LEGARVA 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
7 JUM 30 ?4 :I j 
First Regular Session) 
L 
S.B. No. 
SENAY3 
Introduced by Senator LOREN LEGARDA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A CRISIS CENTER FOR STREET CHILDRED IN ALL CITIES 
AND MUNICIPALITIES IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION AND IN EVERY 
HIGHLY URBANIZED CITY IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Street Children Crisis Center Act 
of 1998". 
SEC. 2. Declaration of PoIicy. - 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 conditions prejudicial to their development. 
Towards this end, there is hereby established a Crisis Center for Street Children 
in every city or municipality in the National Capital Region and in every highly 
urbanized city in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Such crisis center shall serve as 
temporary shelters and rehabilitation center for the street children. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - "Street Children" shall be defined as those persons 
below 18 years of age and 793rning in the streets without supervision of adults, whether 
parents, relatives or friends. 
SEC. 4. Program Framework. - There shall be a comprehensive program for the street 
children which the crisis center shall provide. Such program shall include but not 
limited to the following: 
(a) 
Emergency medical and feeding services; 


Temporary shelter for street children who have been separated 
from their respective homes and who have been straying in the 
streets; 
Basic educational, legal and counsel services; 
Immediately rehabilitation program for street children identified as 
prohibited substance abusers; 
Programs geared towards the acquisition of livelihood, technical, 
social and other related skills whic’n would help the street become 
productive members of society; 
Support system provided by LGUs; 
Referral network of assistance consisting of other government 
agencies; 
Information, education and communication campaign to promote 
the objectives of this Act; and 
Such other functions as may be necessary. 
SEC. 5. Implementing Agency. - The program shall be implemented by 
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in close coordination 
with the LGU’s concerned. 
The city or municipal officials may call upon private volunteers 
who are responsible of the community and utilize them to assist in the care of 
street children by providing consultative services for medical, educational, and 
other needs of the street 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; 
provide training for crisis center workers, counselors and other 
volunteers; 
coordinate activities of non-government with the crisis center 
workers and other social workers of the Department in order that 
their services may be fully utilized for the attainment of the 
program goals; and, 
(b) 
(c) 


(d) 
protect and assist abused, neglected or exploited children and 
secure proper government assistance for said street children. 
SEC. 7. Funds for the Crisis Center, Program and Crisis Center Workers. - 
The funds for the establishment, maintenance and operation of the 
street children crisis center shall be appropriated from the National 
Budget and shall be included in the General Appropriations Act as 
part of the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development. 
A portion of the health programs available to the Philippines under 
official aid or official debt arrangements from foreign countries, the 
amount to be determined by the Office of the President, shall be 
extended in support of the crisis centers. 
SEC. 8. Authority tc- Accept Donations. - The DSWD 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 various 
crisis center within the city or municipality as my be deemed appropriate. 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision in this Act be declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby 
shall remain in force and effect. 
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules and regulations, and 
executive orders contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This act shall take effect upon its approval and 
completion of its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,