Press Release
November 12, 2014

SEN. GUINGONA: GOV'T MUST PROTECT CHILDREN
ON CALAMITIES & EMERGENCIES

SBN 2448 PROPOSES TIGHTENED WATCH VS VIOLATIONS ON CHILDREN'S RIGHTS

Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III has filed a bill that seeks better protection for millions of children that will be affected by the impact of future disasters in the country.

Senate Bill No. 2448, otherwise known as the "Children's Emergency Relief and Protection Act," proposes a Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children (CEPC) that will be implemented immediately after the declaration of a national or local state of calamity. This program aims to protect and enforce the fundamental rights of children, such as the right to shelter, immediate delivery of basic necessities such as food, water and medicines, and the like. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) will be tapped to formulate the said program.

"Children are among the worst affected and most vulnerable during disasters worldwide. In November 2013, Super Typhoon Yolanda affected an estimated 6 million children in the Philippines. The exact number of children killed, injured and missing cannot be tabulated, but is estimated to be in the thousands," Sen. Guingona said.

He added that these "Children of Yolanda" have experienced psychosocial trauma, difficulties in evacuation centers, loss of education opportunities, lack of social protection, and many other challenges.

"Some of the trauma and suffering experienced by the "Children of Yolanda" can be avoided or mitigated in future disasters by Congress acting now to establish clear policies and principles regarding the welfare of children in situations of natural disasters. This would only happen if lessons from Typhoon Yolanda will be translated into specific measures for child protection," Sen. Guingona explained.

He stressed that Filipino children deserve special attention and better services to protect them from the grim realities of disasters. A specific law to set standards and obligate concerned government agencies in humanitarian work is therefore vital.

One of the highlights of the proposed measure is the establishment of shelter for displaced children. The program will prioritize and provide housing options for displaced children, families with children and of children separated from their families or relatives. The shelter will have emergency latrines, bathing cubicles and hand washing facility and shall provide child-friendly spaces where children can take part in child activities. It shall also have provisions for maternal and baby care and rooms to protect and ensure the right to privacy.

The bill also proposes a heightened surveillance against child trafficking, child labor, child prostitution, and violence on children in areas declared under a state of calamity.

In June 2014, a study conducted by Save the Children on the situation of displaced families by Typhoon Yolanda indicated that about 26,000 people remain in evacuation centers, tent cities and bunkhouses seven months after the devastating storm struck. That is more than 10,000 children living in difficult conditions and with uncertainty on their education, welfare and health.

"Once passed into law, this legislation will also provide Congress basis for oversight in terms of how disaster responders and local governments address the needs of affected children," Sen. Guingona said.

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