President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the creation of a one-stop system for reporting child rights violations through Executive Order 79, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
The EO outlines the establishment of the Mahalin at Kalingain ang ating mga Bata (MAKABATA) program and the institutionalization of the MAKABATA Helpline 1383.
"On 3 November 2022, the CWC launched the MAKABATA Helpline 1383 as one of the government's communication lines to allow the public to report any child rights violations and connect them to the appropriate government agency for support and assistance," the EO reads.
All concerns received through any of the helpline's communication platforms will be promptly addressed or forwarded, either directly or indirectly, to the relevant government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and private sector partners for appropriate action and intervention.
Moreover, the MAKABATA Program aims to address and monitor the issues and concerns of children in need of special protection (CNPS). Its components include reporting, rescue and relief, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
CNPS refers to individuals under 18 years old, or those over 18 who are unable to care for themselves due to physical or mental disabilities, and are vulnerable to or victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation, cruelty, discrimination, violence, and similar circumstances.
This includes, but is not limited to, child labor, online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM), child trafficking, and other situations that threaten a child's survival and development.
It also includes children in conflict with the law, those living in alternative care, and children living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will oversee the implementation of the MAKABATA program, while the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) will act as the primary coordinating and monitoring body for its execution.
Under Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7610, the state commits to safeguarding children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation and requires the implementation of programs aimed at prevention and crisis intervention.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child previously mandated countries, including the Philippines, to take all necessary measures to protect children from discrimination or punishment based on their status, activities, opinions, or beliefs.
Pang. @bongbongmarcos, nagtatag ng one-stop system para sa pagdudulog at pag-aksyon sa pang-aabuso sa mga bata | RH 14 @leth_narciso, DZRH News#OperationTulong
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) December 11, 2024
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