MANILA – House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday urged lawmakers to unite in expediting the passage of House Bill (HB) 10159, or the Magna Carta for Children.
This came as the Philippines celebrates National Children’s Day with the theme “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines”.
As the bill’s principal author, the leader of the House of Representatives 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 challenges us to confront the realities of violence and neglect faced by millions of Filipino children. The Magna Carta for Children is a proactive step toward ending these injustices and creating a safer, brighter future for our children.” Romualdez said in a statement.
Approved by the House Committee on the Welfare of Children last May 13, HB 10159 is now pending for second reading.
A counterpart bill, Senate Bill 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. It likewise promotes positive parenting.
“This bill integrates and strengthens existing child protection measures, addressing gaps and ensuring that no child is left behind. It is a testament to our collective commitment to secure the rights and dignity of every Filipino child,” Romualdez said.
“By prioritizing their welfare, we prioritize the future of our nation,” he added.
Ensuring universal birth registration
At the same time, Romualdez 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 1 million children, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
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.
“Universal birth registration is a cornerstone of equality and opportunity. It is unacceptable that so many of our children remain invisible to the State, deprived of access to education, healthcare, and legal protections,” Romualdez said.
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.
Romualdez 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.
“On this day, let me express the 19th Congress’ firm commitment: We will do everything in our power to break the prevalence of violence, end the neglect, and create a safe and equitable Philippines for our children. Their future is our legacy,” he said. (PNA)