Bill to address plight of foundlings, abused Filipino children pushed

Mindanao solon says the birth certificate also facilitates the exercise of fundamental freedom rights, such as right to vote, inherit, employment and social security benefits

FOUNDLINGS and children who are victims of abuse, abandonment, neglect, cruelty and discrimination will be given priority for immediate birth registration under the proposed Children in Need of Special Protection (CNSP) Birth Registration Act.

Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez, author of House Bill 6103, said the birth certificate is necessary document to establish family ties and better opportunities for the child through the process of adoption.

“Timely birth registration is a fundamental right of every child. This was expressly laid down on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and enshrined in the Declaration of Human Rights on the right of an individual to his identity and nationality,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said the birth certificate also facilitates the exercise of fundamental freedom rights, such as right to vote, inherit, employment and social security benefits.

According to

Rodriguez, while Administrative Order 01 Series of 1993 and Memorandum Circular 2011-5 provide for a separate registration structure for foundlings, “this has resulted in confusion and discrimination.”

The bill covers youth below 18 years old who are unable to take care of themselves and victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation, cruelty, discrimination, violence, natural calamities and man-made disasters.

On the other hand, the children in need of special protection or CNSP from the government include street, mentally challenged, abandoned and displaced children and foundlings and those who were sexually abused, at risk and conflict with the law, in armed conflict, victims of child labor, affected by HIV- AIDS and other sexuallytransmitted diseases.

Under the bill, those who violate the proposed act face a fine from P10,000 to P30,000. Likewise, erring officer or medical or dental professional shall be meted with disciplinary action.

In case the violators are institutions, their accreditation shall be suspended.