By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In conjunction with the Philippine celebration of National Children’s Day on Wednesday, House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez urged lawmakers to unite in expediting the passage of House Bill No. 10159, or the Magna Carta for Children.
Speaker Romualdez, the bill’s principal author, highlighted the measure’s potential to address systemic violence and neglect while fostering a nurturing environment for the nation’s youth.
“The theme of today’s celebration (Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines) challenges us to confront the realities of violence and neglect faced by millions of Filipino children,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“The Magna Carta for Children is a proactive step toward ending these injustices and creating a safer, brighter future for our children,” he added.
House Bill No. 10159, approved by the House Committee on the Welfare of Children last May 13, is pending its second reading. A counterpart bill, Senate Bill No. 2612, has been referred to the Senate Joint Committees on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, and Finance, where it has been awaiting deliberation since March 19.
Strengthening Philippine Child Protection
The Magna Carta for Children seeks to institutionalize a comprehensive and robust framework for protecting, developing, and empowering Filipino children. Its provisions, which include aligning national laws with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and enshrining principles such as non-discrimination, survival, development, and child participation, leave no aspect of child welfare unaddressed.
Key features of the bill include the elimination of child labor and the designation of children as “zones of peace” in conflict areas. It also mandates establishing child-friendly spaces, strengthening institutions that serve children, and ensuring access to education, healthcare, and legal aid.
Additionally, it promotes positive parenting. With its comprehensive nature, the bill lays a strong foundation for protecting the dignity and future of every Filipino child.
“The Magna Carta for Children is more than a piece of legislation—it is an expression of our commitment to secure the rights and dignity of every Filipino child,” Speaker Romualdez added. “By prioritizing their welfare, we prioritize the future of our nation.”
Ensuring universal birth registration
Meanwhile, the Leyte First District representative called for the swift passage of the Civil Registration Bill, a critical measure to address the challenges faced by over 3.7 million unregistered Filipinos, including more than a million children, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
This bill complements the Magna Carta for Children by ensuring that all children have legal recognition and access to essential services, thereby forming a comprehensive framework for child protection and welfare.
The Civil Registration Bill, approved by the House Committee on Population and Family Relations and now pending in the Committee on Appropriations, proposes accessible and inclusive birth registration services. It aims to remove barriers that disproportionately affect marginalized communities while improving the integrity of civil records.
“This measure ensures that every Filipino child is recognized, protected, and given the tools to succeed,” Speaker Romualdez said. “It is a step toward a more inclusive society where every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
He called on lawmakers in both chambers of Congress to act swiftly on these transformative measures, emphasizing that the Magna Carta for Children and the Civil Registration Bill represent the nation’s commitment to fulfilling its constitutional and moral duties to protect its youngest citizens.
“With both measures gaining momentum, legislators have a unique opportunity to build a brighter, more inclusive future for all Filipino children,” the lawyer-legislator said.
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