REPUBLIC Act 10821, otherwise known as the “Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act,” was enacted to protect the children affected by disasters and other emergency situations. The law covers children below 18 years old, but also those who are unable to fully take care of themselves, including those with special needs and the abused and neglected children.
Based on the law, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall formulate a program for the children, including the establishment of evacuation centers, immediate delivery of basic needs and services, safety and security measures, health, medical and nutrition services, educational services, child-friendly spaces, and promotion of children’s rights. The children shall be given priority during evacuation.
The Local Government Units shall provide assistance in the implementation of the program, while the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is tasked to conduct a child-responsive training to all responders including the barangay and community leaders, school personnel and other rescuers. On the other hand, the Philippine Statistics Authority is directed to develop a system to restore and construct civil service documents, while the Philippine National Police and DSWD, together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines shall, upon declaration of a calamity, immediately increase measures to prevent child trafficking, labor and prostitution.