Republic Act No. 6972
Barangay-Level Total Development and Protection of Children Act

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Barangay-Level Total Development and Protection of Children Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and to provide them with special protection against all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development. Filipino children up to six (6) years of age deserve the best care and attention at the family and community levels. Towards this end, there is hereby established a day care center in every barangay with a total development and protection of children program as provided in this Act instituted in every barangay day care center.

Sec. 3. Program Framework. - The total development and protection of children program for day care centers shall be provided for children up to six (6) years of age with the consent of parents: Provided, however, That, in case of abused, neglected or exploited children, such consent shall not be required. The program shall include the following:

(a) Monitoring of registration of births and the completion of the immunization series for prevention of tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertusis, tetanus, measles, poliomyelitis and such other diseases for which vaccines have been developed for administration to children up to six (6) years of age;

(b) Growth and nutritional monitoring, with supplementary nutritional feeding and supervision of nutritional intake at home;

(c) Care for children of working mothers during the day and, where feasible, care for children up to six (6) years of age when mothers are working at night: Provided, That the day care center need not take care of the children in a particular place but shall develop network of homes where women may take care of the children up to six (6) years of age of working mothers during work hours, with adequate supervision from the supervising social welfare officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development: Provided, further, That, where young children are left to the care of a paid domestic, an elderly relative or older children without adequate and competent adult supervision, the supervising social welfare officer shall provide such training and adult supervision until the children's care meets adequate standards whereby the children under their care will develop normally as healthy, happy and loved children, even in the absence of their mothers during working hours;

(d) Materials and network of surrogate mothers-teachers who will provide intellectual and mental stimulation to the children, as well as supervised wholesome recreation, with a balanced program of supervised play, mental stimulation activities, and group activities with peers;

(e) A sanctuary for abused, neglected or exploited children either in one child institution in the barangay and/or a network of sanctuary-homes which will take in children in urgent need of protection due to a situation which endangers the child or which has exposed the child to cruelty and abuse: Provided, That the day care center, with the help and support of the barangay chairman and their barangay-level support systems, may call upon law enforcement agencies when the child needs to be rescued from an unbearable home situation;

(f) A referral and support system for pregnant mothers for prenatal and neonatal care and, in the proper case, for delivery of the infant under conditions which will remove or minimize risk to mother and child: Provided, That high-risk mothers shall be referred to the proper tertiary or secondary care service personnel and children who are at risk from any condition or illness will be brought for care: Provided, further, That the day care center shall be alert to illegal abortions and incompetent and untrained hilots so that they are provided the needed basic training for normal delivery and are trained to recognize high-risk pregnancies which should be referred to competent obstetrical and pediatric medical care for mother and child who are at risk; and

(g) A support system and network of assistance from among the members of the barangay for the total development and protection of children.

Sec. 4. Implementing Agency. - The program shall be implemented by the barangay.

The sangguniang barangay may call upon private volunteers, who are responsible members of the community, and utilize them to assist in the care of children and provide consultative services for medical, educational, and other needs of the children.

Sec. 5. Functions of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. - The Department shall:

(a) Formulate the criteria for the selection, qualifications, training and accreditation of barangay day care workers and the standards for the implementation of the total development and protection of children program;

(b) Coordinate activities of nongovernment organizations with the day care workers and other social workers of the Department in order that their services may be fully utilized for the attainment of the program goals; and

(c) Protect and assist abused, neglected or exploited children and secure proper government assistance for said children.

Sec. 6. Funds for the Center, the Program and Day Care Workers.

(a) The funds for the establishment, maintenance and operation of barangay day care centers shall be appropriated from the national budget and shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act as part of the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

(b) The province, city or municipality concerned shall provide financial assistance for the establishment of every barangay day care center within their respective locality.

(c) Barangay day care workers in accredited day care centers shall receive a monthly allowance of not less than Five hundred pesos (P500.00) to be charged to the annual appropriations of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

(d) In order to carry out the provisions of this Act, the amount needed for the program and day care workers shall be appropriated in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law.

(e) A portion of health programs available to the Philippines under official aid or official debt arrangements from foreign countries, the amount to be determined by the Office of the President, shall be extended in support of the day care centers.

Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules and regulations, and executive orders contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval and completion of its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved: November 23, 1990

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