PNoy signs law protecting children during disasters, emergency situations

President Benigno Aquino III signed on Wednesday morning Republic Act (RA) 10821 or the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act which seeks to provide children with comprehensive relief and protection in the aftermath of disasters.

The new law mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to formulate a Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children.

"The program shall be used as the basis for handling disasters and other emergency situations to protect children, pregnany and lactating mothers, and support their immediate recovery," it states.

Local government units are likewise mandated to integrate the said program in their development and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (LDRRM) plans and budget.

The program also assures the establishment of evacuation centers and transitional shelters for orphaned, separated, and unaccompanied children, and the immediate delivery of basic necessities and services.

Aquino said that while all of these measures are already being implemented in the government’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management strategies, RA 10821 makes protecting children during and after a crisis a national policy regardless of the sitting president.

“Ang punto lang: Gawing pormal ang mga hakbang at proseso; higit na mabigyang-lakas ang iba’t ibang sektor ng pamahalaan, at gawing mas maliwanag ang kani-kanilang mga atas at pananagutan,” Aquino said.

“Bukod dito, hangad din nating maging pundasyon at pamantayan ang batas na ito sa pangangalaga sa kabataang Pilipino, sinuman ang nakaupo sa puwesto,” he added.

The law also mandates the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to promote and conduct a child-responsive training program for all responders in the calamity area such as community and barangay leaders.

“Kapag may parating na kalamidad, sakuna, o di-inaasahang pangyayari, ay panatag ang loob, dahil alam nilang nariyan ang gobyerno, nakatutok sa buhay at kapakanan ng kanilang mga anak, at ng kabataang Pilipino,” Aquino said.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV, and Social Welfare Sec. Corazon "Dinky"Soliman are among those who witnessed the ceremonial signing held in Malacañang. — RSJ, GMA News