Bill proposes emergency relief for children during calamities

MANILA, Philippines - A bill seeking to give children emergency relief and protection during disasters, calamities and other emergency situations has been reported out for floor deliberations at the House of Representatives.

House committee on the welfare of children chairman  Aurora Enerio Cerilles said House Bill 5062 aims to let government agencies perform priority action to protect the rights of children and set standards to guide humanitarian groups.

“Children are among the worst affected and most vulnerable because of the country’s geographical location and geology, with an average of 20 typhoons yearly, including numerous earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and similar disasters,” she said.

Tarlac Rep. Susan Yap, one of the bill’s authors, said more than 10,000 children affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda are still uncertain of their education, welfare and health living in difficult conditions in evacuation centers.

“Six children died after their tent in the evacuation center was razed by fire, many of them were not able to go back to school and some children are now engaged in harsh and dangerous labor,” she said.

Yap said thousands of children died during Yolanda and survivors have experienced psychosocial trauma and difficulties in evacuation centers, where they are exploited and abused due to lack of social protection.

“These traumas and sufferings can be avoided or mitigated by establishing clear policies and principles to protect the children in times of calamity and disaster,” she said.

The bill seeks to require the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Office of Civil Defense to formulate a comprehensive emergency program to protect children and support their immediate recovery after the declaration of a national or local state of calamity.

The DSWD, in coordination with the Armed Forces and Philippine National Police, would monitor and ensure the safety and security of affected children in areas declared under a state of calamity. It shall protect them against all forms of abuse and exploitation.

The DSWD and the Department of Health (DOH) would immediately attend to the health and medical needs of children and shall give highest priority to the treatment and rehabilitation of pregnant mothers and babies.

Within five days from declaration of a national or local state of calamity, the DSWD would set up a Children’s Emergency Center in every city or municipality declared under a state of calamity to give the necessary child care services and coordinate with lead agencies to effectively respond to the needs of children in the area.