Pulanglupa Dos - Barangay Council For the Protection of Children - BCPC

HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS A CRIME!

World Day Against Trafficking is observed annually every July 30 to raise awareness on the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights. This year's theme "Use and Abuse of Technology" focuses on the role of technology as a tool that can both enable and stop human trafficking.

As the Philippines maintained its Tier 1 Ranking in the United States' 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report, the Philippine Commission on Women calls for the solidarity of all Juanas and Juans to be more involved in denouncing this issue, spreading awareness to prevent trafficking and exploitation, and to report any suspicious forms of trafficking to the Action Line: 1343.

Together, let's !

JUST IN: President Duterte signs into law a measure raising the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16. The law seeks to provide stronger protection against r**e and sexual exploitation.

Under the new law, any sexual in*******se with a minor below 16 years old will be regarded as r**e even if the minor agreed to engage in the sexual act. | via Alexis Romero

Here comes our theme for the 30th National Children's Month celebration, as approved by the CWC Board during its 1st Regular Meeting that was held on March 30, 2022!

Child rights champs, please take note and watch out for further exciting updates!

Webinar: Orientation Workshop and Capacity Building for Barangay Council for the Protection of Children(BCPC) Members
October 12 - 13, 2021

Kung ang inyong anak ay may Covid-19…..

The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) welcomes the law prohibiting child marriage through the enactment of Republic Act 11596 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on December 10, 2021 and released on January 6, 2022.

The law defines a child as a person below 18 years old or anyone of legal age but unable to fully protect oneself from abuse, neglect, or cruelty because of a physical or mental disability or condition. It then refers to child marriage as “any marriage entered into where one or both parties are children and solemnized in civil or church proceedings, or in any recognized traditional, cultural or customary manner. It shall include an informal union or cohabitation outside of wedlock between an adult and a child, or between children.”

Under RA 11596, the facilitation and solemnization of child marriage, as well as cohabitation of adults with children shall be penalized. Thus, a person who causes, fixes, facilitates, or arranges a child marriage shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its medium period or up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of not less than PHP 40,000. Should the perpetrator be an ascendant, step-parent, or guardian of the minor, the penalty will constitute a 12-year imprisonment, a fine of not less than PHP 50,000, and the perpetual loss of parental authority over the minor. Anyone who produces or alters documents to misrepresent the age of a child shall also be liable [Section 4(a)].

Individuals who perform or officiate the child marriage, as well as adults who cohabit with a child outside of marriage shall also be penalized [Sections 4(b) and (c)].

Section 5 of the law classifies these as public crimes, which means that complaints could be initiated by any concerned individual.

PCW Executive Director Atty. Kristine Rosary E. Yuzon-Chaves lauded the passage of this landmark law, which the PCW supported by acting as resource person in Congressional hearings and technical meetings, providing inputs and recommendations through policy recommendations, and actively seeking the support of lawmakers and relevant committees.

“The law finally recognizes child marriage as a crime across the Philippines. It addresses legal gaps that allow this practice that threatens the health, well-being, and development of children. With this enactment, we can protect girls from being trapped in unwanted marriage, early pregnancy, violence, and other violations to their human rights and dignity,” said Atty. Yuzon-Chaves.

A law prohibiting child marriage is a significant stride in the Philippines, where one in six Filipino girls get married before reaching the age of 18. Currently, the country ranks 12th worldwide in terms of absolute number of child marriages and unions.

In the Philippines, the legal age of marriage under the Family Code is eighteen years old. However, in some religions and cultures, child marriage is practiced. Some allow the marriage of a female at the age of puberty, which is presumed upon reaching the age of fifteen. However, many children’s rights advocates argue that early child marriage has adverse long-term physical, psychological, and emotional effects and will curtail the development and attainment of a child’s full potential, among others.

Read the full statement here:
https://pcw.gov.ph/pcw-welcomes-law-prohibiting-child-marriage/

Full text of the law is available here:https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2021/12dec/20211210-RA-11596-RRD.pdf

New Normal na Walang Iwanan: Karapatan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan! Show your support by using this official frame for the 2021 NCM.

Get yourself this twibbon at twb.nz/2021ncm

Para i-access ang ating collaterals at editable files ng mga ito, i-click lamang ang link na ito: https://bit.ly/2021NCMcollaterals