PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO.

603
December 10, 1974
THE CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE CODE

I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of

the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and
decree the following:

TITLE I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Article 1. Declaration of Policy. - The Child is one of the most

important assets of the nation. Every effort should be exerted to
promote his welfare and enhance his opportunities for a useful and
happy life.

The child is not a mere creature of the State. Hence, his individual
traits and aptitudes should be cultivated to the utmost insofar as
they do not conflict with the general welfare.

The molding of the character of the child start at the home.

Consequently, every member of the family should strive to make the
home a wholesome and harmonious place as its atmosphere and
conditions will greatly influence the child's development.

Attachment to the home and strong family ties should be

encouraged but not to the extent of making the home isolated and
exclusive and unconcerned with the interests of the community and
the country.

The natural right and duty of parents in the rearing of the child for
civic efficiency should receive the aid and support of the
government.

Other institutions, like the school, the church, the guild, and the
community in general, should assist the home and the State in the
endeavor to prepare the child for the responsibilities of adulthood.

Art. 2. Title and Scope of Code. - The Code shall be known as the
"Child and Youth Welfare Code". It shall apply to persons below
twenty-one years of age except those emancipated in accordance
with law. "Child" or "minor" or "youth" as used in this Code, shall
refer to such persons.
Art. 3. Rights of the Child. - All children shall be entitled to the
rights herein set forth without distinction as to legitimacy or
illegitimacy, sex, social status, religion, political antecedents, and
other factors.

(1) Every child is endowed with the dignity and worth of a

human being from the moment of his conception, as generally
accepted in medical parlance, and has, therefore, the right to
be born well.

(2) Every child has the right to a wholesome family life that
will provide him with love, care and understanding, guidance
and counseling, and moral and material security.

The dependent or abandoned child shall be provided with the

nearest substitute for a home.

(3) Every child has the right to a well-rounded development of

his personality to the end that he may become a happy, useful
and active member of society.

The gifted child shall be given opportunity and encouragement

to develop his special talents.

The emotionally disturbed or socially maladjusted child shall

be treated with sympathy and understanding, and shall be
entitled to treatment and competent care.

The physically or mentally handicapped child shall be given

the treatment, education and care required by his particular
condition.

(4) Every child has the right to a balanced diet, adequate

clothing, sufficient shelter, proper medical attention, and all
the basic physical requirements of a healthy and vigorous life.

(5) Every child has the right to be brought up in an

atmosphere of morality and rectitude for the enrichment and
the strengthening of his character.

(6) Every child has the right to an education commensurate

with his abilities and to the development of his skills for the
improvement of his capacity for service to himself and to his
fellowmen.
 (7) Every child has the right to full opportunities for safe and
wholesome recreation and activities, individual as well as
social, for the wholesome use of his leisure hours.

(8) Every child has the right to protection against exploitation,

improper influences, hazards, and other conditions or
circumstances prejudicial to his physical, mental, emotional,
social and moral development.

(9) Every child has the right to live in a community and a

society that can offer him an environment free from
pernicious influences and conducive to the promotion of his
health and the cultivation of his desirable traits and
attributes.

(10) Every child has the right to the care, assistance, and
protection of the State, particularly when his parents or
guardians fail or are unable to provide him with his
fundamental needs for growth, development, and
improvement.

(11) Every child has the right to an efficient and honest

government that will deepen his faith in democracy and
inspire him with the morality of the constituted authorities
both in their public and private lives.

(12) Every child has the right to grow up as a free individual,

in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, tolerance, and
universal brotherhood, and with the determination to
contribute his share in the building of a better world.

Art. 4. Responsibilities of the Child. - Every child, regardless of the

circumstances of his birth, sex, religion, social status, political
antecedents and other factors shall:
(1) Strive to lead an upright and virtuous life in accordance
with the tenets of his religion, the teachings of his elders and
mentors, and the biddings of a clean conscience;

(2) Love, respect and obey his parents, and cooperate with
them in the strengthening of the family;

(3) Extend to his brothers and sisters his love, thoughtfulness,

and helpfulness, and endeavor with them to keep the family
harmonious and united;
 (4) Exert his utmost to develop his potentialities for service,
particularly by undergoing a formal education suited to his
abilities, in order that he may become an asset to himself and
to society;

(5) Respect not only his elders but also the customs and
traditions of our people, the memory of our heroes, the duly
constituted authorities, the laws of our country, and the
principles and institutions of democracy;

(6) Participate actively in civic affairs and in the promotion of

the general welfare, always bearing in mind that it is the youth
who will eventually be called upon to discharge the
responsibility of leadership in shaping the nation's future; and

(7) Help in the observance of individual human rights, the

strengthening of freedom everywhere, the fostering of
cooperation among nations in the pursuit of their common
aspirations for programs and prosperity, and the furtherance
of world peace.

Art. 5. Commencement of Civil Personality. - The civil personality of

the child shall commence from the time of his conception, for all
purposes favorable to him, subject to the requirements of Article 41
of the Civil Code.

Art. 6. Abortion. - The abortion of a conceived child, whether such

act be intentional or not, shall be governed by the pertinent
provisions of the Revised Penal Code.

Art. 7. Non-disclosure of Birth Records. - The records of a person's

birth shall be kept strictly confidential and no information relating
thereto shall be issued except on the request of any of the following:

(1) The person himself, or any person authorized by him;

(2) His spouse, his parent or parents, his direct descendants,

or the guardian or institution legally in-charge of him if he is a
minor;

(3) The court or proper public official whenever absolutely

necessary in administrative, judicial or other official
proceedings to determine the identity of the child's parents or
other circumstances surrounding his birth; and

(4) In case of the person's death, the nearest of kin.

Any person violating the prohibition shall suffer the penalty of
imprisonment of at least tw o months or a fine in an amount not
exceeding five hundred pesos, or both, in the discretion of the
court.

Art. 8. Child's Welfare Paramount. - In all questions regarding the

care, custody, education and property of the child, his welfare shall
be the paramount consideration.

Art. 9. Levels of Growth. - The child shall be given adequate care,

assistance and guidance through his various levels of growth, from
infancy to early and later childhood, to puberty and adolescence,
and when necessary even after he shall have attained age 21.

Art. 10. Phases of Development. - The child shall enjoy special

protection and shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and
by other means, to ensure and enable his fullest development
physically, mentally, emotionally, morally, spiritually and socially
in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and
dignity appropriate to the corresponding developmental stage.

Art. 11. Promotion of Health. - The promotion of the Child's health

shall begin with adequate pre-natal and post-natal care both for him
and his mother. All appropriate measures shall be taken to insure
his normal total development.

It shall be the responsibility of the health, welfare, and educational

entities to assist the parents in looking after the health of the child.

Art. 12. Education. - The schools and other entities engaged in non-
formal education shall assist the parents in providing the best
education for the child.

Art. 13. Social and Emotional Growth. - Steps shall be taken to

insure the child's healthy social and emotional growth. These shall
be undertaken by the home in collaboration with the schools and
other agencies engaged in the promotion of child welfare.

Art. 14. Morality. - High moral principles should be instilled in the

child, particularly in the home, the school, and the church to which
he belongs.

Art. 15. Spiritual Values. - The promotion of the child's spiritual

well-being according to the precepts of his religion should, as much
as possible, be encouraged by the State.
Art. 16. Civic Conscience. - The civic conscience of the child shall
not be overlooked. He shall be brought up in an atmosphere of
universal understanding, tolerance, friendship, and helpfulness and
in full consciousness of his responsibilities as a member of society.

TITLE II
CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE AND THE HOME

Chapter 1
PARENTAL AUTHORITY

Section A. In General

Art. 17. Joint Parental Authority. - The father and mother shall
exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and
responsibility over their legitimate or adopted children. In case of
disagreement, the father's decision shall prevail unless there is a
judicial order to the contrary.

In case of the absence or death of either parent, the present or

surviving parent shall continue to exercise parental authority over
such children, unless in case of the surviving parent's remarriage,
the court, for justifiable reasons, appoints another person as
guardian.

In case of separation of his parents, no child under five years of age

shall be separated from his mother unless the court finds compelling
reasons to do so.

Art. 18. Grandparents. - Grandparents shall be consulted on

important family questions but they shall not interfere in the
exercise of parental authority by the parents.

Art. 19. Absence or Death of Parents. - Grandparents and in their

default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of
age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall
exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both
parents, unless a guardian has been appointed in accordance with
the succeeding provision.

Art. 20. Guardian. - The court may, upon the death of the parents
and in the cases mentioned in Arts. 328 to 332 of the Civil Code,
appoint a guardian for the person and property of the child, on
petition of any relative or friend of the family or the Department of
Social Welfare.
Art. 21. Dependent, Abandoned or Neglected Child. - The dependent,
abandoned or neglected child shall be under the parental authority
of a suitable or accredited person or institution that is caring for
him as provided for under the four preceding articles, after the child
has been declared abandoned by either the court or the Department
of Social Welfare.

Art. 22. Transfer to the Department of Social Welfare. - The

dependent, abandoned or neglected child may be transferred to the
care of the Department of Social Welfare or a duly licensed child-
caring institution or individual in accordance with Articles 142 and
154 of this Code, or upon the request of the person or institution
exercising parental authority over him.

From the time of such transfer, the Department of Social Welfare or

the duly licensed child-caring institution or individual shall be
considered the guardian of the child for all intents and purposes.

Art. 23. Case Study. - It shall be the duty of the Department of

Social Welfare to make a case study of every child who is the subject
of guardianship or custody proceedings and to submit its report and
recommendations on the matter to the court for its guidance.

Art. 24. Intervention of Department of Social Welfare. - The

Department of Social Welfare shall intervene on behalf of the child if
it finds, after its case study, that the petition for guardianship or
custody should be denied.

Art. 25. Hearings Confidential. - The hearing on guardianship and

custody proceedings may, at the discretion of the court, be closed
to the public and the records thereof shall not be released without
its approval.

Art. 26. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of the Civil Code on

parental authority which are not inconsistent with the provisions of
this Chapter shall remain in force: Provided, That Articles 334 up to
348 inclusive on Adoption, are hereby expressly repealed and
replaced by Section B of this Chapter.

Section. B. Adoption

Art. 27. Who May Adopt. - Any person of age and in full possession
of his civil rights may adopt: Provided, That he is in a position to
support and care for his legitimate, legitimated, acknowledged
natural children, or natural children by legal fiction, or other
illegitimate children, in keeping with the means, both material and
otherwise, of the family.

In all cases of adoption the adopter must be at least fifteen years

older than the person to be adopted.

Art. 28. Who May Not Adopt. - The following persons may not adopt:

(1) A married person without the written consent of the

spouse;

(2) The guardian with respect to the ward prior to final

approval of his accounts;

(3) Any person who has been convicted of a crime involving

moral turpitude;

(4) An alien who is disqualified to adopt according to the laws

of his own country or one with whose government the
Republic of the Philippines has broken diplomatic relations.

Art. 29. Adoption by Husband and Wife. - Husband and Wife may
jointly adopt. In such case, parental authority shall be exercised as
if the child were their own by nature.

Art. 30. Who May Not Be Adopted. - The following may not be
adopted:

(1) A married person, without the written consent of the

spouse;

(2) An alien with whose government the Republic of the

Philippines has broken diplomatic relations;

(3) A person who has already been adopted unless the adoption
has been previously revoked or rescinded in accordance with
this Chapter.

Art. 31. Whose Consent is Necessary. - The written consent of the

following to the adoption shall be necessary:
(1) The person to be adopted, if fourteen years of age or over;

(2) The natural parents of the child or his legal guardian of the
Department of Social Welfare or any duly licensed child
placement agency under whose care the child may be;
 (3) The natural children, fourteen years and above, of the
adopting parents.

Art. 32. Hurried Decisions. - In all proceedings for adoption, steps

should be taken by the court to prevent the natural parents from
making hurried decisions caused by strain or anxiety to give up the
child, and to ascertain, that all measures to strengthen the family
have been exhausted and that any prolonged stay of the child in his
own home will be inimical to his welfare and interest.

Art. 33. Case Study. - No petition for adoption shall be granted

unless the Department of Social Welfare, or the Social W ork and
Counselling Division, in case of Juvenile and Domestic Relations
Courts, has made a case study of the child to be adopted, his natural
parents as well as the prospective adopting parents, and has
submitted its report and recommendations on the matter to the
court hearing such petition. The Department of Social Welfare shall
intervene on behalf of the child if it finds, after such case study,
that the petition should be denied.

Art. 34. Procedure. - The proceedings for adoption shall be governed

by the Rules of Court in so far as they are not in conflict with this
Chapter.

Art. 35. Trial Custody. - No petition for adoption shall be finally

granted unless and until the adopting parents are given by the court
a supervised trial custody period of at least six months to assess
their adjustment and emotional readiness for the legal union.
During the period of trial custody parental authority shall be vested
in the adopting parents.

The court may, upon its own motion or on motion of the petitioner,
reduce or dispense with the trial period if it finds that it is to the
best interest of the child. In such case, the court shall state its
reasons for reducing said period.

Art. 36. Decree of Adoption. - If, after considering the report of the
Department of Social Welfare or duly licensed child placement
agency and the evidence submitted before it, the court is satisfied
that the petitioner is qualified to maintain, care for, and educated
the child, that the trial custody period has been completed, and that
the best interests of the child will be promoted by the adoption, a
decree of adoption shall be entered, which shall be effective as of
the date the original petition was filed. The decree shall state the
name by which the child is thenceforth to be known.
Art. 37. Civil Registry Record. - The adoption shall be recorded in
the local civil register and shall be annotated on the record of birth,
and the same shall entitle the adopted person to the issuance of an
amended certificate of birth.

Art. 38. Confidential Nature of Proceedings and Records. - All

hearings in adoption cases shall be confidential and shall not be
open to the public. All records, books and papers relating to the
adoption cases in the files of the court, of the Department of Social
Welfare, and of any other agency or institution participating in the
adoption proceedings, shall be kept strictly confidential.

Subject to the provisions of Article 7, in any case in which

information from such records, books and papers is needed, the
person or agency requesting the release of the information may file
a petition to the court which entered the decree of adoption for its
release. If the court finds that the disclosure of the information is
necessary for purposes connected with or arising out of the adoption
and will be for the best interests of the child, the court may permit
the necessary information to be released, restricting the purposes
for which it may be used.

Art. 39. Effects of Adoption. - The adoption shall:

(1) Give to the adopted person the same rights and duties as if
he were a legitimate child of the adopter: Provided, That an
adopted child cannot acquire Philippine citizenship by virtue
of such adoption:

(2) Dissolve the authority vested in the natural parent or

parents, except where the adopter is the spouse of the
surviving natural parent;

(3) Entitle the adopted person to use the adopter's surname;

and

(4) Make the adopted person a legal heir of the adopter:

Provided, That if the adopter is survived by legitimate parents
or ascendants and by an adopted person, the latter shall not
have more successional rights than an acknowledged natural
child: Provided, further, That any property received
gratuitously by the adopted from the adopter shall revert to
the adopter should the former predecease the latter without
legitimate issue unless the adopted has, during his lifetime,
alienated such property: Provided, finally, That in the last
case, should the adopted leave no property other than that
 received from the adopter, and he is survived by illegitimate
issue or a spouse, such illegitimate issue collectively or the
spouse shall receive one-fourth of such property; if the
adopted is survived by illegitimate issue and a spouse, then
the former collectively shall receive one-fourth and the latter
also one-fourth, the rest in any case reverting to the adopter,
observing in the case of the illegitimate issue the proportion
provided for in Article 895 of the Civil Code.

The adopter shall not be a legal heir of the adopted person, whose
parents by nature shall inherit from him, except that if the latter
are both dead, the adopting parent or parents take the place of the
natural parents in the line of succession, whether testate or
interstate.

Art. 40. Rescission by Adopted. - The adopted person or the

Department of Social Welfare or any duly licensed child placement
agency if the adopted is still a minor or otherwise incapacitated,
may ask for the rescission of the adoption on the same grounds that
cause the loss of parental authority under the Civil Code.

Art. 41. Revocation by Adopter. - The adopter may petition the

court for the revocation of the adoption in any of these cases:

(1) If the adopted person has attempted against the life of the
adopter and/or his spouse;

(2) When the adopted minor has abandoned the home of the
adopter for more than three years and efforts have been
exhausted to locate the minor within the stated period;

(3) When by other acts the adopted person has definitely

repudiated the adoption.

Art. 42. Effects of Rescission or Revocation. - Where the adopted

minor has not reached the age of majority at the time of the
revocation or rescission referred to in the next preceding articles,
the court in the same proceeding shall determine whether he should
be returned to the parental authority of his natural parents or
remitted to the Department of Social Welfare or any duly licensed
child placement agency or whether a guardian over his person and
property should be appointed.

Where the adopted child has reached the age of majority, the
revocation or rescission, if and when granted by the court, shall
release him from all obligations to his adopting parents and shall
extinguish all his rights against them: Provided, That if the said
adopted person is physically or mentally handicapped as to need a
guardian over his person or property, or both, the court may appoint
a guardian in accordance with the provisions of existing law.

In all cases of revocation or rescission, the adopted shall lose the

right to continue using the adopter's surname and the court shall
order the amendment of the records in the Civil Register in
accordance with its decision.

Chapter 2
RIGHTS OF PARENTS

Art. 43. Primary Right of Parents. - The parents shall have the right
to the company of their children and, in relation to all other persons
or institutions dealing with the child's development, the primary
right and obligation to provide for their upbringing.

Art. 44. Rights Under the Civil Code. - Parents shall continue to
exercise the rights mentioned in Articles 316 to 326 of the Civil
Code over the person and property of the child.

Art. 45. Right to Discipline Child. - Parents have the right to

discipline the child as may be necessary for the formation of his
good character, and may therefore require from him obedience to
just and reasonable rules, suggestions and admonitions.

Chapter 3
DUTIES OF PARENTS

Art. 46. General Duties. - Parents shall have the following general
duties toward their children:
(1) To give him affection, companionship and understanding;

(2) To extend to him the benefits of moral guidance, self-

discipline and religious instruction;

(3) To supervise his activities, including his recreation;

(4) To inculcate in him the value of industry, thrift and self-

reliance;
 (5) To stimulate his interest in civic affairs, teach him the
duties of citizenship, and develop his commitment to his
country;

(6) To advise him properly on any matter affecting his

development and

well-being;

(7) To always set a good example;

(8) To provide him with adequate support, as defined in Article

290 of the Civil Code; and

(9) To administer his property, if any, according to his best

interests, subject to the provisions of Article 320 of the Civil
Code.

Art. 47. Family Affairs. - Whenever proper, parents shall allow the
child to participate in the discussion of family affairs, especially in
matters that particularly concern him.

In cases involving his discipline, the child shall be given a chance to

present his side.

Art. 48. Winning Child's Confidence. - Parents shall endeavor to win

the child's confidence and to encourage him to conduct with them
on his activities and problems.

Art. 49. Child Living Away from Home. - If by reason of his studies
or for other causes, a child does not live with his parents, the latter
shall communicate with him regularly and visit him as often as
possible.

The parents shall see to it that the child lives in a safe and
wholesome place and under responsible adult care and supervision.

Art. 50. Special Talents. - Parents shall endeavor to discover the

child's talents or aptitudes, if any, and to encourage and develop
them.

If the child is especially gifted, his parents shall report this fact to
the National Center for Gifted Children or to other agencies
concerned so that official assistance or recognition may be extended
to him.
Art. 51. Reading Habit. - The reading habit should be cultivated in
the home. Parents shall, whenever possible, provide the child with
good and wholesome reading material, taking into consideration his
age and emotional development. They shall guard against the
introduction in the home of pornographic and other unwholesome
publications.

Art. 52. Association with Other Children. - Parents shall encourage

the child to associate with other children of his own age with whom
he can develop common interests of useful and salutary nature. It
shall be their duty to know the child's friends and their activities
and to prevent him from falling into bad company. The child should
not be allowed to stay out late at night to the detriment of his
health, studies or morals.

Art. 53. Community Activities. - Parents shall give the child every
opportunity to form or join social, cultural, educational,
recreational, civic or religious organizations or movements and
other useful community activities.

Art. 54. Social Gatherings. - When a party or gathering is held, the

parents or a responsible person should be present to supervise the
same.

Art. 55. Vices. - Parents shall take special care to prevent the child
from becoming addicted to intoxicating drinks, narcotic drugs,
smoking, gambling, and other vices or harmful practices.

Art. 56. Choice of career. - The child shall have the right to choose
his own career. Parents may advise him on this matter but should
not impose on him their own choice.

Art. 57. Marriage. - Subject to the provisions of the Civil Code, the
child shall have the prerogative of choosing his future spouse.
Parents should not force or unduly influence him to marry a person
he has not freely choosen.

Chapter 4
LIABILITIES OF PARENTS

Art. 58. Torts. - Parents and guardians are responsible for the
damage caused by the child under their parental authority in
accordance with the Civil Code.

Art. 59. Crimes. - Criminal liability shall attach to any parent who:
 (1) Conceals or abandons the child with intent to make such
child lose his civil status.

(2) Abandons the child under such circumstances as to deprive

him of the love, care and protection he needs.

(3) Sells or abandons the child to another person for valuable

consideration.

(4) Neglects the child by not giving him the education which
the family's station in life and financial conditions permit.

(5) Fails or refuses, without justifiable grounds, to enroll the

child as required by Article 72.

(6) Causes, abates, or permits the truancy of the child from the
school where he is enrolled. "Truancy" as here used means
absence without cause for more than twenty schooldays, not
necessarily consecutive.

It shall be the duty of the teacher in charge to report to the

parents the absences of the child the moment these exceed
five schooldays.

(7) Improperly exploits the child by using him, directly or

indirectly, such as for purposes of begging and other acts
which are inimical to his interest and welfare.

(8) Inflicts cruel and unusual punishment upon the child or

deliberately subjects him to indignitions and other excessive
chastisement that embarrass or humiliate him.

(9) Causes or encourages the child to lead an immoral or

dissolute life.

(10) Permits the child to possess, handle or carry a deadly

weapon, regardless of its ownership.

(11) Allows or requires the child to drive without a license or

with a license which the parent knows to have been illegally
procured. If the motor vehicle driven by the child belongs to
the parent, it shall be presumed that he permitted or ordered
the child to drive.

"Parents" as here used shall include the guardian and the head of
the institution or foster home which has custody of the child.
Art. 60. Penalty. - The act mentioned in the preceding article shall
be punishable with imprisonment from two or six months or a fine
not exceeding five hundred pesos, or both, at the discretion of the
Court, unless a higher penalty is provided for in the Revised Penal
Code or special laws, without prejudice to actions for the
involuntary commitment of the child under Title VIII of this Code.

Chapter 5
ASSISTANCE TO PARENTS

Art. 61. Admonition to Parents. - Whenever a parent or guardian is

found to have been unreasonably neglectful in the performance of
his duties toward the child, he shall be admonished by the
Department of Social Welfare or by the local Council for the
Protection of Children referred to in Article 87.

Whenever a child is found delinquent by any court, the father,

mother or guardian may be judicially admonished.

Art. 62. Medical and Dental Services. - If the child has special health
problems, his parents shall be entitled to such assistance from the
government as may be necessary for his care and treatment in
addition to other benefits provided for under existing law.

Art. 63. Financial Aid and Social Services to Needy Families. -

Special financial or material aid and social services shall be given to
any needy family, to help maintain the child or children in the
home and prevent their placement elsewhere.

The amount of such aid shall be determined by the Department of

Social Welfare, taking into consideration, among other things, the
self-employment of any of the family members and shall be paid
from any funds available for the purpose.

Art. 64. Assistance to Widowed or Abandoned Parent and Her Minor

Dependents. - The State shall give assistance to widowed or
abandoned parent or where either spouse is on prolonged absence
due to illness, imprisonment, etc. and who is unable to support
his/her children. Financial and other essential social services shall
be given by the National Government or other duly licensed agencies
with similar functions to help such parent acquire the necessary
knowledge or skill needed for the proper care and maintenance of
the family.
Art. 65. Criterion for Aid. - The criteria to determine eligibility for
the aid mentioned in the next two preceding articles shall be (1) the
age of the child or children (2) the financial condition of the family,
(3) the degree of deprivation of parental care and support, and (4)
the inability to exercise parental authority.

Art. 66. Assistance to Unmarried Mothers and Their Children. - Any

unmarried mother may, before and after the birth of the child, seek
the assistance and advice of the Department of Social Welfare or any
duly licensed child placement agency. The said agencies shall offer
specialized professional services which include confidential help and
protection to such mother and her child, including placement of
protection to such mother and child, including placement of such
mother's rights, if any, against the father of such child.

Chapter 6
FOSTER - CARE

Art. 67. Foster Homes. - Foster Homes shall be chosen and

supervised by the Department of Social Welfare or any duly licensed
child placement agency when and as the need therefore arises. They
shall be run by married couples, to be licensed only after thorough
investigation of their character, background, motivation and
competence to act as foster parents.

Art. 68. Institutional Care. - Assignment of the child to a foster

home shall be preferred to institutional care. Unless absolutely
necessary, no child below nine years of age shall be placed in an
institution. An older child may be taken into an institution for child
care if a thorough social case study indicates that he will derive
more benefit therefrom.

Art. 69. Day-care service and other substitute parental arrangement.

- Day-care and other substitute parental arrangement shall be
provided a child whose parents and relatives are not able to care for
him during the day. Such arrangements shall be the subject of
accreditation and licensing by the Department of Social Welfare.

Art. 70. Treatment of Child Under Foster Care. - A child under foster
care shall be given, as much as possible, the affection and
understanding that his own parents, if alive or present, would or
should have extended to him. Foster care shall take into
consideration the temporary nature of the placement and shall not
alienate the child from his parents.
 TITLE III
CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE AND EDUCATION

Chapter 1
ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Art. 71. Admission to Schools. - The state shall see to it that no

child is refused admission in public schools. All parents are required
to enroll their children in schools to complete, at least, an
elementary education.

Art. 72. Assistance. - To implement effectively the compulsory

education policy, all necessary assistance possible shall be given to
parents, specially indigent ones or those who need the services of
children at home, to enable the children to acquire at least an
elementary education. Such assistance may be in the form of special
school programs which may not require continuous attendance in
school, or aid in the form of necessary school supplies, school
lunch, or whatever constitutes a bar to a child's attendance in
school or access to elementary education.

Art. 73. Nursery School. - To further help promote the welfare of

children of working mothers and indigent parents, and in keeping
with the Constitutional provision on the maintenance of an
adequate system of public education, public nursery and
kindergarten schools shall be maintained, whenever possible. The
operation and maintenance of such schools shall be the
responsibility of local governments. Aid from local school board
funds, when available, may be provided.

Art. 74. Special Classes. - Where needs warrants, there shall be at

least special classes in every province, and, if possible, special
schools for the physically handicapped, the mentally retarded, the
emotionally disturbed, and the specially gifted. The private sector
shall be given all the necessary inducement and encouragement to
establish such classes or schools.

Art. 75. School Plants and Facilities. - Local school officials and
local government officials shall see to it that school children and
students are provided with adequate schoolrooms and facilities
including playground, space, and facilities for sports and physical
development activities. Such officials should see to it that the
school environment is free from hazards to the health and safety of
the students and that there are adequate safety measures for any
emergencies such as accessible exits, firefighting equipment, and
the like. All children shall have the free access to adequate dental
and medical services.

Chapter II
THE HOME AND THE SCHOOL

Art. 76. Role of the Home. - The home shall fully support the school
in the implementation of the total school program - curricular and
co-curricular - toward the proper physical, social, intellectual and
moral development of the child.

Art. 77. Parent-Teacher Associations. - Every elementary and

secondary school shall organize a parent-teacher association for the
purpose of providing a forum for the discussion of problems and
their solutions, relating to the total school program, and for
insuring the full cooperation of parents in the efficient
implementation of such program. All parents who have children
enrolled in a school are encouraged to be active members of its PTA,
and to comply with whatever obligations and responsibilities such
membership entails.

Parent-Teacher Association all over the country shall aid the

municipal and other local authorities and school officials in the
enforcement of juvenile delinquency control measures, and in the
implementation of programs and activities to promote child welfare.

Chapter III
MISCELLANEOUS

Art. 78. Contributions. - No school shall receive or collect from

students, directly or indirectly, contributions of any kind or form,
or for any purpose except those expressly provided by law, and on
occasions of national or local disasters in which case the school may
accept voluntary contribution or aid from students for distribution
to victims of such disasters or calamities.

TITLE IV
CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE AND THE CHURCH

Art. 79. Rights of the Church. - The State shall respect the rights of
the Church in matters affecting the religious and moral upbringing
of the child.

Art. 80. Establishment of Schools. - All churches and religious

orders, congregations or groups may, conformably to law, establish
schools for the purpose of educating children in accordance with the
tenets of their religion.

Art. 81. Religious Instruction. - The religious education of children

in all public and private schools is a legitimate concern of the
Church to which the students belong. All churches may offer
religious instruction in public and private elementary and secondary
schools, subject to the requirements of the Constitution and
existing laws.

Art. 82. Assistance to Churches. - Insofar as may be allowed by the

Constitution, the government shall extend to all churches, without
discrimination or preference, every opportunity to exercise their
influence and disseminate their teachings.

Art. 83. Parents. - Parents shall admonish their children to heed the
teachings of their Church and to perform their religious duties.
Whenever possible, parents shall accompany their children to the
regular devotions of their Church and other religious ceremonies.

TITLE V
CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE AND THE COMMUNITY

Chapter I
DUTIES IN GENERAL OF THE COMMUNITY

Art. 84. Community Defined. - As used in this Title, a community

shall mean, the local government, together with the society of
individuals or institutions, both public and private, in which a child
lives.

Art. 85. Duties of the Community. - To insure the full enjoyment of

the right of every child to live in a society that offers or guarantee
him safety, health, good moral environment and facilities for his
wholesome growth and development, it shall be the duty of the
community to:

(1) Bring about a healthy environment necessary to the normal

growth of children and the enhancement of their physical,
mental and spiritual well-being;

(2) Help institutions of learning, whether public or private,

achieve the fundamental objectives of education;
 (3) Organize or encourage movements and activities, for the
furtherance of the interests of children and youth;

(4) Promote the establishment and maintenance of adequately

equipped playgrounds, parks, and other recreational facilities;

(5) Support parent education programs by encouraging its

members to attend and actively participate therein;

(6) Assist the State in combating and curtailing juvenile

delinquency and in rehabilitating wayward children;

(7) Aid in carrying out special projects for the betterment of

children in the remote areas or belonging to cultural
minorities or those who are out of school; and

(8) Cooperate with private and public child welfare agencies in

providing care, training and protection to destitute,
abandoned, neglected, abused, handicapped and disturbed
children.

Chapter 2
COMMUNITY BODIES DEALING WITH CHILD WELFARE

Section. A. Barangay Councils

Art. 86. Ordinances and Resolutions. - Barangay Councils shall have

the authority to enact ordinances and resolutions not inconsistent
with law or municipal ordinances, as may be necessary to provide
for the proper development and welfare of the children in the
community, in consultation with representatives of national
agencies concerned with child and youth welfare.

Art. 87. Council for the Protection of Children. - Every barangay

council shall encourage the organization of a local Council for the
Protection of Children and shall coordinate with the Council for the
Welfare of Children and Youth in drawing and implementing plans
for the promotion of child and youth welfare. Membership shall be
taken from responsible members of the community including a
representative of the youth, as well as representatives of
government and private agencies concerned with the welfare of
children and youth whose area of assignment includes the particular
barangay and shall be on a purely voluntary basis.

Said Council shall:

 (1) Foster the education of every child in the barangay;

(2) Encourage the proper performance of the duties of parents,

and provide learning opportunities on the adequate rearing of
children and on positive parent-child relationship;

(3) Protect and assist abandoned or maltreated children and

dependents;

(4) Take steps to prevent juvenile delinquency and assist

parents of children with behavioral problems so that they can
get expert advise;

(5) Adopt measures for the health of children;

(6) Promote the opening and maintenance of playgrounds and

day-care centers and other services that are necessary for
child and youth welfare;

(7) Coordinate the activities of organizations devoted to the

welfare of children and secure their cooperation;

(8) Promote wholesome entertainment in the community,

especially in movie houses; and

(9) Assist parents, whenever necessary in securing expert

guidance counseling from the proper governmental or private
welfare agency.

In addition, it shall hold classes and seminars on the proper rearing

of the children. It shall distribute to parents available literature and
other information on child guidance. The Council shall assist
parents, with behavioral problems whenever necessary, in securing
expert guidance counseling from the proper governmental or private
welfare agency.

Art. 88. Barangay Scholarships. - Barangay funds may be

appropriated to provide annual scholarship for indigent children
who, in judgment of the Council for the Protection of Children,
deserve public assistance in the development of their potentialities.

Art. 89. Youth Associations in Barangays. - Barangay councils shall

encourage membership in civil youth associations and help these
organizations attain their objectives.
Art. 90. Aid to Youth Associations. - In proper cases, barangay funds
may be used for the payment of the cost of the uniforms and
equipment required by these organizations.

Section. B. Civic Associations of Adults

Art. 91. Civic Associations of Adults. - As used in this Title, a civic

association shall refer to any club, organization or association of
individuals twenty-one years of age or over, which is directly or
indirectly involved in carrying out child welfare programs and
activities.

Art. 92. Accounting of Proceeds or Funds. - It shall be the duty of

any civic association of adults holding benefits or soliciting
contributions pursuant to the provisions of the next preceding
article, to render an accounting of the proceeds thereof to the
Department of Social Welfare or to the city or municipal treasurer,
as the case may be.

Art. 93. Functions. - Civic associations and youth associations shall

make arrangements with the appropriate governmental or civic
organization for the instruction of youth in useful trades or crafts to
enable them to earn a living.

Art. 94. Youth Demonstrations. - Any demonstrations sponsored by

any civic associations and youth associations shall be conducted in
a peaceful and lawful manner.

Art. 95. Unwholesome Entertainment and advertisements. - It shall

be the duty of all civic associations and youth associations to bring
to the attention of the proper authorities the exhibition of indecent
shows and the publication, sale or circulation of pornographic
materials.

The Board of Censors or the Radio Control Board may, upon

representation of any civic association, prohibit any movie,
television or radio program offensive to the proprieties of language
and behavior.

Commercial and advertisements and trailers which are improper for

children under eighteen years of age due to their advocating or
unduly suggesting violence, vices, crimes and immorality, shall not
be shown in any movie theater where the main feature is for general
patronage nor shall they be used or shown during or immediately
before and after any television or radio program for children.
Art. 96. Complaint Against Child Welfare Agency. - Any civic
association and any youth association may complain to the officials
of any public or private child-caring agency about any act or
omission therein prejudicial to the wards of such agency.

If the complaint is not acted upon, it may be brought to the Council

for the Protection of Children or the Department of Social Welfare,
which shall promptly investigate the matter and take such steps as
may be necessary.

Art. 97. Studies and Researches. - The government shall make

available such data and technical assistance as may be needed by
civic associations conducting studies and researches on matters
relating to child welfare, including the prevention of juvenile
delinquency.

Art. 98. Exchange Programs. - Student exchange programs

sponsored by civic associations or youth associations shall receive
the support and encouragement of the State.

Section. C. Youth Associations

Art. 99. Youth Associations. - As used in this Title, a youth

association shall refer to any club, organization or association of
individuals below twenty-one years of age which is directly or
indirectly involved in carrying out child or youth welfare programs
and activities.

Art. 100. Rights and Responsibilities. - All youth associations shall

enjoy the same rights and discharge the same responsibilities as
civic associations as may be permitted under existing laws.

Art. 101. Student Organizations. - All student organization in public

or private schools shall include in their objectives the cultivation of
harmonious relations among their members and with the various
segments of the community.

Chapter 3
COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE HOME AND THE COMMUNITY

Art. 102. Proper Atmosphere for Children. - The home shall aid the
community in maintaining an atmosphere conducive to the proper
upbringing of children, particularly with respect to their preparation
for adult life and the conscientious discharge of their civic duties as
a whole.

Art. 103. Unwholesome Influence. - The home and the community

shall cooperate with each other in counteracting and eliminating
such influences as may be exerted upon children by useless and
harmful amusements and activities, obscene exhibitions and
programs, and establishments inimical to health and morals.

TITLE VI
CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE AND THE SAMAHAN

Chapter 1
DUTIES IN GENERAL OF THE SAMAHAN

Art. 104. "Samahan" Defined. - As used in this Code, the term

"samahan" shall refer to the aggregate of persons working in
commercial, industrial, and agricultural establishments or
enterprises, whether belonging to labor or management.

Art. 105. Organization. - The barangay, municipal and city councils,

whenever necessary, shall provide by ordinance for the formation
and organization of a samahan in their respective communities.
Membership in the samahan shall be on voluntary basis from among
responsible persons from the various sectors of the community
mentioned in the preceding article.

Art. 106. Duties of the Samahan. - The Samahan shall:

(1) Prevent the employment of children in any kind of

occupation or calling which is harmful to their normal growth
and development;

(2) Forestall their exploitation by insuring that their rates of

pay, hours of work and other conditions of employment are in
accordance not only with law but also with equity;

(3) Give adequate protection from all hazards to their safety,

health, and morals, and secure to them their basic right to an
education;

(4) Help out-of-school youth to learn and earn at the same

time by helping them look for opportunities to engage in
economic self-sufficient projects;
 (5) To coordinate with vocational and handicraft classes in all
schools and agencies in the barangay, municipality or city to
arrange for possible marketing of the products or articles
made by the students; and

(6) Provide work experience, training and employment in those

areas where the restoration and conservation of our natural
resources is deemed necessary.

Chapter 2
WORKING CHILDREN

Art. 107. Employment of Children Below Sixteen Years. - Children

below sixteen years of age may be employed to perform light work
which is not harmful to their safety, health or normal development
and which is not prejudicial to their studies.

The provisions of the Labor Code relating to employable age and

conditions of employment of children are hereby adopted as part of
this Code insofar as not inconsistent herewith.

Art. 108. Duty of Employer to Submit Report. - The employer shall

submit to the Department of Labor a report of all children employed
by him. A separate report shall be made of all such children who are
found to be handicapped after medical examination. The Secretary
of Labor shall refer such handicapped children to the proper
government or private agencies for vocational guidance, physical
and vocational rehabilitation, and placement in employment.

Art. 109. Register of Children. - Every employer in any commercial,

industrial or agricultural establishment or enterprise shall keep:

(1) A register of all children employed by him, indicating the

dates of their birth;

(2) A separate file for the written consent to their employment

given by their parents or guardians;

(3) A separate file for their educational and medical

certificates; and

(4) A separate file for special work permits issued by the

Secretary of Labor in accordance with existing laws.

Art. 110. Education of Children Employed as Domestics. - If a

domestic is under sixteen years of age, the head of the family shall
give him an opportunity to complete at least elementary education
as required under Article 71. The cost of such education shall be a
part of the domestic's compensation unless there is a stipulation to
the contrary.

Chapter 3
LABOR-MANAGEMENT PROJECTS

Art. 111. Right to Self-Organization. - Working children shall have

the same freedoms as adults to join the collective bargaining union
of their own choosing in accordance with existing law.

Neither management nor any collective bargaining union shall

threaten or coerce working children to join, continue or withdraw as
members of such union.

Art. 112. Conditions of Employment. - There shall be close

collaboration between labor and management in the observance of
the conditions of employment required by law for working children.

Art. 113. Educational Assistance Programs. - The management may

allow time off without loss or reduction of wages for working
children with special talents to enable them to pursue formal
studies in technical schools on scholarships financed by
management or by the collective bargaining union or unions.

Art. 114. Welfare Programs. - Labor and management shall, in

cooperation with the Women and Minors Bureau of the Department
of Labor, undertake projects and in-service training programs for
working children which shall improve their conditions of
employment, improve their capabilities and physical fitness,
increase their efficiency, secure opportunities for their promotion,
prepare them for more responsible positions, and provide for their
social, educational and cultural advancement.

Art. 115. Research Projects. - Labor and management shall

cooperate with any government or private research project on
matters affecting the welfare of working children.

Chapter 4
COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE HOME AND THE SAMAHAN

Art. 116. Collaboration Between the Home and the Samahan. - The
home shall assist the Samahan in the promotion of the welfare of
working children and for this purpose shall:
 (1) Instill in the hearts and minds of working children the
value of dignity of labor;

(2) Stress the importance of the virtues of honesty; diligence

and perseverance in the discharge of their duties;

(3) Counsel them on the provident use of the fruits of their

labor for the enrichment of their lives and the improvement of
their economic security; and

(4) Protect their general well-being against exploitation by

management or unions as well as against conditions of their
work prejudicial to their health, education, or morals.

TITLE VII
CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE AND THE STATE

Chapter 1
REGULATION OF CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE SERVICES

Art. 117. Classifications of Child and Youth Welfare Agencies. -

Public and private child welfare agencies providing encouragement,
care, and protection to any category of children and youth whether
mentally gifted, dependent, abandoned, neglected, abused,
handicapped, disturbed, or youthful offenders, classified and defined
as follows, shall be coordinated by the Department of Social Welfare:
(1) A child-caring institution is one that provides twenty-four
resident group care service for the physical, mental, social and
spiritual well-being of nine or more mentally gifted,
dependent, abandoned, neglected, handicapped or disturbed
children, or youthful offenders.

An institution, whose primary purpose is education, is deemed

to be a child-caring institution when nine or more of its pupils
or wards in the ordinary course of events do not return
annually to the homes of their parents or guardians for at least
two months of summer vacation.

(2) A detention home is a twenty-four hour child-caring

institution providing short term resident care for youthful
offenders who are awaiting court disposition of their cases or
transfer to other agencies or jurisdiction.

(3) A shelter-care institution is one that provides temporary

protection and care to children requiring emergency reception
as a result of fortuitous events, abandonment by parents,
 dangerous conditions of neglect or cruelty in the home, being
without adult care because of crisis in the family, or a court
order holding them as material witnesses.

(4) Receiving homes are family-type homes which provides

temporary shelter from ten to tw enty days for children who
shall during this period be under observation and study for
eventual placement by the Department of Social Welfare. The
number of children in a receiving home shall not at any time
exceed nine: Provided, That no more than two of them shall be
under three years of age.

(5) A nursery is a child-caring institution that provides care for

six or more children below six years of age for all or part of a
twenty-four hour day, except those duly licensed to offer
primarily medical and educational services.

(6) A maternity home is an institution or place of residence

whose primary function is to give shelter and care to pregnant
women and their infants before, during and after delivery.

(7) A rehabilitation center is an institution that receives and

rehabilitates youthful offenders or other disturbed children.

(8) A reception and study center is an institution that receives

for study, diagnosis, and temporary treatment, children who
have behavioral problems for the purpose of determining the
appropriate care for them or recommending their permanent
treatment or rehabilitation in other child welfare agencies.

(9) A child-placing agency is an institution or person assuming

the care, custody, protection and maintenance of children for
placement in any child-caring institution or home or under
the care and custody of any person or persons for purposes of
adoption, guardianship or foster care. The relatives of such
child or children within the sixth degree of consanguinity or
affinity are excluded from this definition.

Art. 118. License Required. - No private person, natural or juridical,

shall establish, temporarily or permanently, any child welfare
agency without first securing a license from the Department of
Social Welfare.

Such license shall not be transferable and shall be used only by the
person or institution to which it was issued at the place stated
therein.
No license shall be granted unless the purpose of function of the
agency is clearly defined and stated in writing. Such definition shall
include the geographical area to be served, the children to be
accepted for care, and the services to be provided.

If the applicant is a juridical person, it must be registered in

accordance with Philippine laws.

Art. 119. Guiding Principles. - The protection and best interests of

the child or children therein shall be the first and basic
consideration in the granting, suspension or revocation of the
license mentioned in the preceding article.

Art. 120. Revocation or Suspension of License. - The Department of

Social Welfare may, after notice and hearing , suspend or revoke the
license of a child welfare agency on any of the following grounds:

(1) That the agency is being used for immoral purposes;

(2) That said agency is insolvent or is not in a financial

position to support and maintain the children therein or to
perform the functions for which it was granted license;

(3) That the children therein are being neglected or are

undernourished;

(4) That the place is so unsanitary so as to make it unfit for

children;

(5) That said agency is located in a place or community where

children should not be, or is physically dangerous to children
or would unduly expose children to crime, vice, immorality,
corruption or severe cruelty; or

(6) That said agency has by any act or omission shown its
incompetence or unworthiness to continue acting as a child
welfare agency. During the period of suspension, the agency
concerned shall not accept or admit any additional children.
In any case, the Department of Social Welfare shall make such
order as to the custody of the children under the care of such
agency as the circumstances may warrant. The suspension
may last for as long as the agency has not complied with any
order of the Department of Social Welfare to remove or remedy
the conditions which have risen to the suspension. The
aggrieved agency may appeal the suspension and/or
revocation in a proper court action. In such case, the court
 shall within fifteen days from the filing of the Department of
Social Welfare's answer, conduct a hearing and decide the
case, either by lifting the suspension, or continuing it for such
period of time as it may order, or by revoking the license of
the agency where the Department of Social Welfare has proven
the revocation to be justified.

Art. 121. Responsible Government Body. - The governing body of a

child welfare agency or institution shall be composed of civic
leaders or persons of good standing in the community. The
administrator must be a competent person qualified by education or
experience or both to serve as such.

Art. 122. Child-Caring Institution Serving as Child-Placement

Agency. - An association or corporation may be both a child-caring
institution and a child-placement agency and it may be licensed to
carry out both types of service.

When a license also serves as a child-placement agency, it shall

maintain a staff equipped by training to make thorough studies of
every prospective family home. Staff arrangements must also be
made for continuing supervision of the children staying in family
homes so long as the children remain in the legal custody of the
agency.

Art. 123. Responsible Staff of Employees. - The licensee shall choose

its employees who shall be persons of good health and character,
and whenever possible, the higher rank of employees shall in
addition have training, preferably in child psychology.

Art. 124. Intake Study and Periodic Investigations. - The licensee

shall undertake investigations to determine if the acceptance or
continued stay of a child in its institution is necessary. Each
licensee shall make provisions for continuing services, including
social casework for every child under its care.

Art. 125. Records. - The licensee shall keep confidential records of

every child in its study. These records shall be made available only
to such persons as may be authorized by the Department of Social
Welfare or by the proper court.

Art. 126. Home Atmosphere. - Child welfare agencies shall endeavor

to provide the children with a pleasant atmosphere that shall
approximate as nearly as possible the conditions of an ideal home.
Vocational rehabilitation shall also be provided in accordance with
existing law and the particular needs of the children.
Art. 127. Adequate Diet. - The licensee shall provide a varied and
balanced diet to satisfy the child's total nutritional requirements.

Art. 128. Clothing. - The licensee shall furnish clean, comfortable,

and appropriate clothing for every child under its care.

Art. 129. Physical Surroundings and Outings. - The licensee shall

maintain a building adequate both in ventilation and sanitation, and
with a safe, clean and spacious playground.

Regular inexpensive periodic outing shall be an important part of its

activities in order to make the children aware of their vital role in
their community and country.

Art. 130. Medical and Nursing Care. - The licensee shall provide
adequate medical and nursing care for sick children who may be
confined due to illness.

Art. 131. Religious Training. - The licensee shall provide

opportunities for religious training to children under its custody,
taking into consideration the religious affiliation or express wishes
of the child or his parents. For such purpose, it shall have a defined
policy regarding its religious activities for the information of those
wishing to place children in its care.

Art. 132. Annual Report. - Every child welfare agency or institution

shall submit to the Department of Social Welfare an annual report
setting forth a brief summary of its operations during the preceding
year, including the funds received during said period, the sources
thereof, the purposes for which they were spent and the cash
position of the agency or institution as of the date of the report,
number of children admitted, and such other information as may be
required by the Department of Social Welfare.

Chapter 2
COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE HOME AND THE STATE

Art. 133. Healthy Growth of Children. - Pursuant to its obligation to

assist the parents in the proper upbringing of the child, the State
shall, whenever possible, in collaboration and cooperation with local
government establish:
(1) Puericulture and similar centers;

(2) Juvenile courts;

 (3) Child welfare agencies;

(4) Orphanages and other similar institutions; and

(5) Children's recreation centers.

Art. 134. Puericulture or Health Centers. - Puericulture or health

centers shall be established in every barangay to perform, among
other things, the following functions:
(1) Disseminate information concerning the health of children
and expectant or nursing mothers;

(2) Provide consultation service and treatment, whenever

necessary, for the children and the expectant or nursing
mothers;

(3) Provide guidance and special treatment to children with

physical handicaps; and

(4) Advise child welfare institutions on matters relating to

nutrition and hygiene.

Art. 135. Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts. - Juvenile and

Domestic Relations Courts shall, as far as practicable, be established
in every province or city to hear and decide cases involving juvenile
and domestic problems.

Art. 136. Regional Child Welfare Agencies. - The State shall,

whenever practicable, establish regional child welfare agencies,
orphanages and other similar institutions to provide care for the
children mentioned in Title VIII of this Code.

Art. 137. Children's Reading and Recreation Centers. - The State

shall establish in every barangay reading centers and recreation
centers where children may meet and play together for their healthy
growth and their social and cultural development.

Art. 138. Parent Education Program. - The Department of Social

Welfare shall from time to time hold a Parent Education Congress,
which shall aim to enable parents to understand child growth and
development, parent-child relationship, family life, and family-
community relationship, and to improve their ability to discharge
their duties.

Art. 139. Curfew Hours for Children. - City or municipal councils

may prescribe such curfew hours for children as may be warranted
by local conditions. The duty to enforce curfew ordinances shall
devolve upon the parents or guardians and the local authorities.

Any parent or guardian found grossly negligent in the performance

of the duty imposed by this article shall be admonished by the
Department of Social Welfare or the Council for the Protection of
Children.

Art. 140. State Aid in Case of Public Calamity. - In case of

earthquake, flood, storm, conflagration, epidemic, or other calamity,
the State shall give special assistance to children whenever
necessary. The Department of Social Welfare shall take immediate
custody of dependent children and give temporary shelter to
orphaned or displaced children (who are separated from their
parents or guardian).

TITLE VIII
SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CHILDREN

Chapter 1
DEPENDENT, ABANDONED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN

Art. 141. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Chapter:

(1) A dependent child is one who is without a parent, guardian
or custodian; or one whose parents, guardian or other
custodian for good cause desires to be relieved of his care and
custody; and is dependent upon the public for support.

(2) An abandoned child is one who has no proper parental care

or guardianship, or whose parents or guardians have deserted
him for a period of at least six continuous months.

(3) A neglected child is one whose basic needs have been

deliberately unattended or inadequately attended. Neglect may
occur in two ways:

a) There is a physical neglect when the child is

malnourished, ill clad and without proper shelter.

A child is unattended when left by himself without

provisions for his needs and/or without proper
supervision.
 b) Emotional neglect exists: when children are
maltreated, raped or seduced; when children are
exploited, overworked or made to work under conditions
not conducive to good health; or are made to beg in the
streets or public places, or when children are in moral
danger, or exposed to gambling, prostitution and other
vices.

(4) Commitment or surrender of a child is the legal act of

entrusting a child to the care of the Department of Social
Welfare or any duly licensed child placement agency or
individual.

Commitment may be done in the following manner:

a) Involuntary commitment, in case of a dependent

child, or through the termination of parental or
guardianship rights by reason of abandonment,
substantial and continuous or repeated neglect and/or
parental incompetence to discharge parental
responsibilities, and in the manner, form and procedure
hereinafter prescribed.

b) Voluntary commitment, through the relinquishment

of parental or guardianship rights in the manner and
form hereinafter prescribed.

Art. 142. Petition for Involuntary Commitment of a Child: Venue. -

The Department of Social Welfare Secretary or his authorized
representative or any duly licensed child placement agency having
knowledge of a child who appears to be dependent, abandoned or
neglected, may file a verified petition for involuntary commitment
of said child to the care of any duly licensed child placement agency
or individual.

The petition shall be filed with the Juvenile and Domestic Relations
Court, if any, or with the Court of First Instance of the province or
City Court in which the parents or guardian resides or the child is
found.

Art. 143. Contents of Petition: Verification. - The petition for

commitment must state so far as known to the petitioner:

(1) The facts showing that the child is dependent, abandoned,

or neglected;
 (2) The names of the parent or parents, if known, and their
residence. If the child has no parent or parents living, then
the name and residence of the guardian, if any; and

(3) The name of the duly licensed child placement agency or

individual to whose care the commitment of the child is
sought.

The petition shall be verified and shall be sufficient if based upon

the information and belief of the petitioner.

Art. 144. Court to Set Time for Hearing: Summons. - When a

petition or commitment is filed, the court shall fix a date for the
hearing thereof. If it appears from the petition that one or both
parents of the child, or the guardian, resides in province or city, the
clerk of court shall immediately issue summons, together with a
copy of the petition, which shall be served on such parent or
guardian not less than two days before the time fixed for the
hearing. Such summons shall require them to appear before the
court on the date mentioned.

Art. 145. When Summons shall Not be Issued. - The summons

provided for in the next preceding article shall not be issued and the
court shall thereupon proceed with the hearing of the case if it
appears from the petition that both parents of the child are dead or
that neither parent can be found in the province or city and that the
child has no guardian residing therein.

Art. 146. Representation of Child. - If it appears that neither of the

parents nor the guardian of the child can be found in the province
or city, it shall be the duty of the court to appoint some suitable
person to represent him.

Art. 147. Duty of Fiscal. - The provincial or city fiscal shall appear
for the State, seeing to it that there has been due notice to all
parties concerned and that there is justification for the declaration
of dependency, abandonment or neglect.

The legal services section of the Department of Social Welfare, any

recognized legal association, or any appointed de officio counsel
shall prepare the petition for the Secretary of the Department of
Social Welfare, his representative or the head of the duly licensed
child placement agency, or the duly licensed individual and
represent him in court in all proceedings arising under the
provisions of this Chapter.
Art. 148. Hearing. - During the hearing of the petition, the child
shall be brought before the court, which shall investigate the facts
and ascertain whether he is dependent, abandoned, or neglected,
and, if so, the cause and circumstances of such condition. In such
hearing, the court shall not be bound by the technical rules of
evidence.

Failure to provide for the child's support for a period of six months
shall be presumptive evidence of the intent to abandon.

Art. 149. Commitment of Child. - If, after the hearing, the child is
found to be dependent, abandoned, or neglected, an order shall be
entered committing him to the care and custody of the Department
of Social Welfare or any duly licensed child placement agency or
individual.

Art. 150. When Child May Stay In His Own Home. - If in the court's
opinion the cases of the abandonment or neglect of any child may
be remedied, it may permit the child to stay in his own home and
under the care and control of his own parents or guardian, subject
to the supervision and direction of the Department of Social
Welfare.

When it appears to the court that it is no longer for the best

interests of such child to remain with his parents or guardian, it
may commit the child in accordance with the next preceding article.

Art. 151. Termination of Rights of Parents. - When a child shall have

been committed to the Department of Social Welfare or any duly
licensed child placement agency or individual pursuant to an order
of the court, his parents or guardian shall thereafter exercise no
authority over him except upon such conditions as the court may
impose.

Art. 152. Authority of Person, Agency or Institution. - The

Department of Social Welfare or any duly licensed child placement
agency or individual receiving a child pursuant to an order of the
court shall be the legal guardian and entitled to his legal custody
and control, be responsible for his support as defined by law, and
when proper, shall have authority to give consent to his placement,
guardianship and/or adoption.

Art. 153. Change of Custody. - The Department of Social Welfare

shall have the authority to change the custody of a child committed
to and duly licensed child placement agency or individual if it
appears that such change is for the best interests of the child.
However, when conflicting interests arise among child placement
agencies the court shall order the change of commitment of the
child.

Art. 154. Voluntary Commitment of a Child to an Institution. - The

parent or guardian of a dependent, abandoned or neglected child
may voluntarily commit him to the Department of Social Welfare or
any duly licensed child placement agency or individual subject to
the provisions of the next succeeding articles.

Art. 155. Commitment Must Be in Writing. - No child shall be

committed pursuant to the preceding article unless he is
surrendered in writing by his parents or guardian to the care and
custody of the Department of Social Welfare or duly licensed child
placement agency. In case of the death or legal incapacity of either
parent or abandonment of the child for a period of at least one year,
the other parent alone shall have the authority to make the
commitment. The Department of Social Welfare, or any proper and
duly licensed child placement agency or individual shall have the
authority to receive, train, educate, care for or arrange appropriate
placement of such child.

Art. 156. Legal Custody. - When any child shall have been
committed in accordance with the preceding article and such child
shall have been accepted by the Department of Social Welfare or any
duly licensed child placement agency or individual, the rights of his
natural parents, guardian, or other custodian to exercise parental
authority over him shall cease.

Such agency or individual shall be entitled to the custody and

control of such child during his minority, and shall have authority
to care for, educate, train and place him out temporarily or for
custody and care in a duly licensed child placement agency. Such
agency or individual may intervene in adoption proceedings in such
manner as shall best inure to the child's welfare.

Art. 157. Visitation or Inspection. - Any duly licensed child

placement agency or individual receiving a judicial order or by
voluntary commitment by his parents or guardian shall be subject to
visitation or inspection by a representative of the court or of the
Department of Social Welfare or both, as the case may be.

Art. 158. Report of P erson or Institution. - Any duly licensed child

placement agency or individual receiving a child for commitment
may at any time be required by the Department of Social Welfare to
submit a report, copy furnished the court, containing all necessary
information for determining whether the welfare of the child is
being served.

Art. 159. Temporary Custody of Child. - Subject to regulation by the

Department of Social Welfare and with the permission of the court
in case of judicial commitment, the competent authorities of any
duly licensed child placement agency or individual to which a child
has been committed may place him in the care of any suitable
person, at the latter's request, for a period not exceeding one month
at a time.

The temporary custody of the child shall be discontinued if it

appears that he is not being given proper care, or at his own
request, or at the instance of the agency or person receiving him.

Art. 160. Prohibited Acts. - It shall be unlawful for any child to leave
the person or institution to which he has been judicially or
voluntarily committed or the person under whose custody he has
been placed in accordance with the next preceding article, or for
any person to induce him to leave such person or institution, except
in case of grave physical or moral danger, actual or imminent, to the
child.

Any violation of this article shall be punishable by an imprisonment

of not more than one year or by a fine of not more than two
thousand pesos, or both such fine and imprisonment at the
discretion of the court: Provided, That if the violation is committed
by a foreigner, he shall also be subject to deportation.

If the violation is committed by a parent or legal guardian of the

child, such fact shall aggravate or mitigate the offense as
circumstances shall warrant.

Art. 161. Duty to Report Abandonment. - When the parents or

persons entitled to act as guardian of a child are dead or, if living,
have abandoned him, for no valid reason, for at least six months in a
duly licensed child placement agency or hospital, or left him with
any other person for the same period without providing for his care
and support, such fact shall be reported immediately to the
Department of Social Welfare. In case of a child left in a hospital
immediate transfer of the child to the Department of Social Welfare
or any duly licensed child placement agency must be arranged. The
Department of Social Welfare shall make provisions for the adequate
care and support of the child and shall take such action as it may
deem proper for his best interests.
Art. 162. Adoption of Dependent or Abandoned or Neglected Child. -
Upon the filing of an application by any person to adopt a
dependent, abandoned or neglected child in the custody of any
institution or individual mentioned in Article 156, it shall be the
duty of the provincial or city fiscal, any recognized legal
association, or any appointed de officio counsel upon being
informed of such fact, to represent the Department of Social Welfare
in the proceedings. The costs of such proceedings shall be de officio.

Art. 163. Restoration of Child After Involuntary Commitment. - The

parents or guardian of a child committed to the care of a person,
agency or institution by judicial order may petition the proper court
for the restoration of his rights over the child: Provided, That the
child in the meantime, has not been priorily given away in adoption
nor has left the country with the adopting parents or the guardian.
The petition shall be verified and shall state that the petitioner is
now able to take proper care and custody of said child.

Upon receiving the petition, the court shall fix the time for hearing
the questions raised thereby and cause reasonable notice thereof to
be sent to the petitioner and to the person, agency or institution to
which the child has been committed. At the trial, any person may be
allowed, at the discretion of the court, to contest the right to the
relief demanded, and witnesses may be called and examined by the
parties or by the court motu proprio. If it is found that the cause for
the commitment of the child no longer exists and that the
petitioner is already able to take proper care and custody of the
child, the court, after taking into consideration the best interests
and the welfare of the child, shall render judgment restoring
parental authority to the petitioner.

Art. 164. Restoration After Voluntary Commitment. Upon petition

filed with the Department of Social Welfare the parent or parents or
guardian who voluntarily committed a child may recover legal
custody and parental authority over him from the agency, individual
or institution to which such child was voluntarily committed when
it is shown to the satisfaction of the Department of Social Welfare
that the parent, parents or guardian is in a position to adequately
provide for the needs of the child: Provided, That, the petition for
restoration is filed within six months after the surrender.

In all cases, the person, agency or institution having legal custody

of the child shall be furnished with a copy of the petition and shall
be given the opportunity to be heard.
Art. 165. Removal of Custody. - A petition to transfer custody of a
child may be filed against a person or child welfare agency to whose
custody a child has been committed by the court based on neglect
of such child as defined in Article 141(3). If the court, after notice
and hearing, is satisfied that the allegations of the petition are true
and that it is for the best interest and welfare of the child the court
shall issue an order taking him from the custody of the person or
agency, as the case may be, and committing him to the custody of
another duly licensed child placement agency or individual.

The license of the agency or individual found guilty of such neglect

may be suspended or revoked, as the court may deem proper, in the
same proceeding.

Art. 166. Report of Maltreated or Abused Child. - All hospitals,

clinics and other institutions as well as private physicians providing
treatment shall, within forty-eight hours from knowledge of the
case, report in writing to the city or provincial fiscal or to the Local
Council for the Protection of Children or to the nearest unit of the
Department of Social Welfare, any case of a maltreated or abused
child, or exploitation of an employed child contrary to the
provisions of labor laws. It shall be the duty of the Council for the
Protection of Children or the unit of the Department of Social
Welfare to whom such a report is made to forward the same to the
provincial or city fiscal.

Violation of this provision shall subject the hospital, clinic,

institution, or physician who fails to make such report to a fine of
not more than two thousand pesos.

In cases of sexual abuse, the records pertaining to the case shall be

kept strictly confidential and no information relating thereto shall
be disclosed except in connection with any court or official
proceeding based on such report. Any person disclosing confidential
information in violation of this provision shall be punished by a fine
of not less than one hundred pesos nor more than five thousand
pesos, or by imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more
than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the
discretion of the court.

Art. 167. Freedom from Liability of Reporting Person or Institution.

- Persons, organizations, physicians, nurses, hospitals, clinics and
other entities which shall in good faith report cases of child abuse,
neglect, maltreatment or abandonment or exposure to moral danger
be free from any civil or criminal liability arising therefrom.
 Chapter 2
MENTALLY RETARDED, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED,
EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED AND MENTALLY ILL CHILDREN

Art. 168. Mentally Retarded Children. - Mentally retarded children

are (1) socially incompetent, that is, socially inadequate and
occupationally incompetent and unable to manage their own affairs;
(2) mentally subnormal; (3) retarded intellectually from birth or
early age; (4) retarded at maturity; (5) mentally deficient as a result
of constitutional origin, through hereditary or disease, and (6)
essentially incurable.

Art. 169. Classification of Mental Retardation. - Mental Retardation

is divided into four classifications:

(1) Custodial Group. The members of this classification are

severely or profoundly retarded, hence, the least capable
group. This includes those with I.Q.s to 25.

(2) Trainable Group. The members of this group consist of

those with I.Q.s from about 25 to about 50; one who belongs to
this group shows a mental level and rate of development which
is 1/4 to 1/2 that of the average child, is unable to acquire
higher academic skills, but can usually acquire the basic skills
for living to a reasonable degree. He can likewise attain a
primary grade level of education if he receives effective
instruction.

(3) Educable Group. This group's I.Q. ranges from about 50 to

about 75, and the intellectual development is approximately
1/2 to 3/4 of that expected of a normal child of the same
chronological age. The degree of success or accomplishment
that they will reach in life depends very much on the quality
and type of education they receive, as well as on the
treatment at home and in the community. Many of the
educable retardates may reach 5th or 6th grade educational
level and can develop occupational skills which may result in
partial or complete economic independence in adulthood.

(4) Borderline or Low Normal Group. This is the highest group

of mentally retarded, with I.Q.s from about 75 to about 89.
The members of this classification are only slightly retarded
and they can usually get by in regular classes if they receive
some extra help, guidance and consideration. They have to
spend much more time with their studies than do most
children in order to pass. Those who cannot make it are
 usually handicapped by one or more other conditions aside
from that of intelligence.

Art. 170. Physically Handicapped Children. - Physically handicapped

children are those who are crippled, deaf-mute, blind, or otherwise
defective which restricts their means of action on communication
with others.

Art. 171. Emotionally Disturbed Children. - Emotionally disturbed

children are those who, although not afflicted with insanity or
mental defect, are unable to maintain normal social relations with
others and the community in general due to emotional problems or
complexes.

Art. 172. Mentally Ill Children. - Mentally ill children are those with
any behavioral disorder, whether functional or organic, which is of
such a degree of severity as to require professional help or
hospitalization.

Art. 173. Admission of Disabled Children. - The Department of

Social Welfare, upon the application of the parents or guardians and
the recommendation of any reputable diagnostic center or clinic,
shall refer and/or admit disabled children to any public or private
institution providing the proper care, training and rehabilitation.

"Disabled children" as used in this Chapter shall include mentally

retarded, physically handicapped, emotionally disturbed, and severe
mentally ill children.

Art. 174. Training and Opportunities for Disabled Children. -

Specialized educational services shall be expanded and improved to
provide appropriate opportunities for disabled children. Vocational
rehabilitation and manpower conservation agencies shall train
disabled children for specialized types of jobs, services and business
which could be learned only by them and shall help provide
opportunities for their future occupational placement: That the
agencies and organizations engaged in programs and services for the
disabled need not be limited to minors. Persons of legal age may be
admitted whenever facilities are available for them.

Art. 175. Planning of Programs and Services. - Selected pilot

demonstration projects needed by the disabled children shall be
developed and shall be the basis for planning expanded programs
and services throughout the nation. There shall be established area
centers designed to bring together an aggregate of services to serve
all ages of the disabled within a specified geographical area.
Art. 176. Donations. - Donations to agencies and organizations
engaged in programs and services for disabled children shall be
deductible in accordance with the provision of Presidential Decree
No. 507.

Art. 177. Petition for Commitment. - Where a child appears to be

mentally retarded, physically handicapped, emotionally disturbed,
or mentally ill, and needs institutional care but his parents or
guardians are opposed thereto, the Department of Social Welfare, or
any duly licensed child placement agency or individual shall have
the authority to file a petition for commitment of the said child to
any reputable institution providing care, training and rehabilitation
for disabled children.

The parents or guardian of the child may file a similar petition in

case no immediate placement can be arranged for the disabled child
when the welfare and interest of the child is at stake.

Art. 178. Venue. - The petition for commitment of a disabled child

shall be filed with the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, if
any, or with the Court of First Instance of the province or City
Court where the parent or guardian resides or where the child is
found.

Art. 179. Contents of Petition. - The petition for commitment must

state so far as known to the petitioner:

(1) The facts showing that the child appears to be mentally

retarded, physically handicapped, emotionally disturbed or
mentally ill and needs institutional care;

(2) The Fact that the parents or guardians or any duly licensed
disabled child placement agency, as the case may be, has
opposed the commitment of such child;

(3) The name of the parents and their residence, if known or if

the child has no parents or parent living, the names and
residence of the guardian, if any; and

(4) The name of the institution where the child is to be

committed.

The petition shall be verified and shall be sufficient if based upon

the information and belief of the petitioner.
Art. 180. Order of Hearing. - If the petition filed is sufficient in form
and substance, the court, by an order reciting the purpose of the
petition, shall fix the date for the hearing thereof, and a copy of
such order shall be served on the child alleged to be mentally
retarded, or physically handicapped, or emotionally disturbed, or
mentally ill, and on the person having charge of him or any of his
relatives residing in the province or city as the judge may deem
proper. The court shall furthermore order the sheriff to produce, if
possible, the alleged disabled child on the date of the hearing.

Art. 181. Hearing and Judgment. - Upon satisfactory proof that the
institutional care of the child is for him or the public welfare and
that his parents, or guardian or relatives are unable for any reason
to take proper care of him, the Court shall order his commitment to
the proper institution for disabled children.

Art. 182. Disposition of Property or Money. - The Court, in its order

of commitment, shall make proper provisions for the custody of
property or money belonging to the committed child.

Art. 183. Findings and Other Data. - The Court shall furnish the
institution to which the child has been committed with a copy of its
judgment, together with all the social and other data pertinent to
the case.

Art. 184. Expenses. - The expense of maintaining a disabled child in

the institution to which he has been committed shall be borne
primarily by the parents or guardian and secondarily, by such
disabled child, if he has property of his own.

In all cases where the expenses for the maintenance of the disabled
child cannot be paid in accordance with the next preceding
paragraph, the same, or such part thereof as may remain unpaid,
shall be borne by the Department of Social Welfare.

Art. 185. Children With Cerebral Palsy. - Children afflicted with

cerebral palsy shall be committed to the institution which under the
circumstances of the particular child concerned is best equipped to
treat and care for him.

Art. 186. Discharge of Child Judicially Committed. - The Court shall

order the discharge of any child judicially committed to an
institution for disabled children if it is certified by the Department
of Social Welfare that:
 (1) He has been certified by the duly licensed disabled child
placement agency to be no longer a hazard to himself or to the
community;

(2) He has been sufficiently rehabilitated from his physical

handicap or, if of work age, is already fit to engage in a gainful
occupation; or

(3) He has been relieved of his emotional problems and

complexes and is ready to assume normal social relations.

Art. 187. Discharge of Child Voluntarily Committed. - Any child

voluntarily committed to an institution for disabled children may be
discharged by the Department of Social Welfare motu proprio or
upon the request of his parents or guardian on any of the grounds
specified in the preceding article. In the latter case, the Department
of Social Welfare may refuse to discharge the child if, in its opinion,
his release would be prejudicial to him or to the community.

Art. 188. Assistance of Fiscal. - The provincial or city fiscal shall

represent the Department of Social Welfare or any recognized legal
association in all judicial matters arising under the provisions of
this Chapter.

Chapter 3
YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS

Art. 189. Youthful Offender Defined. - A youthful offender is one

who is over nine years but under twenty-one years of age at the time
of the commission of the offense.

A child nine years of age or under at the time of the offense shall be
exempt from criminal liability and shall be committed to the care of
his or her father or mother, or nearest relative or family friend in
the discretion of the court and subject to its supervision. The same
shall be done for a child over nine years and under fifteen years of
age at the time of the commission of the offense, unless he acted
with discernment, in which case he shall be proceeded against in
accordance with Article 192.

The provisions of Article 80 of the Revised Penal Code shall be

deemed modified by the provisions of this Chapter.

Art. 190. Physical and Mental Examination. - It shall be the duty of

the law-enforcement agency concerned to take the youthful
offender, immediately after his apprehension, to the proper medical
or health officer for a thorough physical and mental examination.
Whenever treatment for any physical or mental defect is indicated,
steps shall be immediately undertaken to provide the same.

The examination and treatment papers shall form part of the record
of the case of the youthful offender.

Art. 191. Care of Youthful Offender Held for Examination or Trial. -

A youthful offender held for physical and mental examination or
trial or pending appeal, if unable to furnish bail, shall from the time
of his arrest be committed to the care of the Department of Social
Welfare or the local rehabilitation center or a detention home in the
province or city which shall be responsible for his appearance in
court whenever required: Provided, That in the absence of any such
center or agency within a reasonable distance from the venue of the
trial, the provincial, city and municipal jail shall provide quarters
for youthful offenders separate from other detainees. The court
may, in its discretion, upon recommendation of the Department of
Social Welfare or other agency or agencies authorized by the Court,
release a youthful offender on recognizance, to the custody of his
parents or other suitable person who shall be responsible for his
appearance whenever required.

Art. 192. Suspension of Sentence and Commitment of Youthful

Offender. - If after hearing the evidence in the proper proceedings,
the court should find that the youthful offender has committed the
acts charged against him the court shall determine the imposable
penalty, including any civil liability chargeable against him.
However, instead of pronouncing judgment of conviction, the court
shall suspend all further proceedings and shall commit such minor
to the custody or care of the Department of Social Welfare, or to any
training institution operated by the government, or duly licensed
agencies or any other responsible person, until he shall have
reached twenty-one years of age or, for a shorter period as the court
may deem proper, after considering the reports and
recommendations of the Department of Social Welfare or the agency
or responsible individual under whose care he has been committed.

The youthful offender shall be subject to visitation and supervision

by a representative of the Department of Social Welfare or any duly
licensed agency or such other officer as the Court may designate
subject to such conditions as it may prescribe.
Art. 193. Appeal. - The youthful offender whose sentence is
suspended can appeal from the order of the court in the same
manner as appeals in criminal cases.

Art. 194. Care and Maintenance of Youthful Offender. - The

expenses for the care and maintenance of the youthful offender
whose sentence has been suspended shall be borne by his parents or
those persons liable to support him: Provided, That in case his
parents or those persons liable to support him can not pay all or
part of said expenses, the municipality in which the offense was
committed shall pay one-third of said expenses or part thereof; the
province to which the municipality belongs shall pay one-third; and
the remaining one-third shall be borne by the National Government.
Chartered cities shall pay two-thirds of said expenses; and in case a
chartered city cannot pay said expenses, part of the internal
revenue allotments applicable to the unpaid portion shall be
withheld and applied to the settlement of said indebtedness.

All city and provincial governments must exert efforts for the
immediate establishment of local detention homes for youthful
offenders.

Art. 195. Report on Conduct of Child. - The Department of Social

Welfare or its representative or duly licensed agency or individual
under whose care the youthful offender has been committed shall
submit to the court every four months or oftener as may be required
in special cases, a written report on the conduct of said youthful
offender as well as the intellectual, physical, moral, social and
emotional progress made by him.

Art. 196. Dismissal of the Case. - If it is shown to the satisfaction of

the court that the youthful offender whose sentence has been
suspended, has behaved properly and has shown his capability to be
a useful member of the community, even before reaching the age of
majority, upon recommendation of the Department of Social
Welfare, it shall dismiss the case and order his final discharge.

Art. 197. Return of the Youth Offender to Court. - Whenever the

youthful offender has been found incorrigible or has willfully failed
to comply with the conditions of his rehabilitation programs, or
should his continued stay in the training institution be inadvisable,
he shall be returned to the committing court for the pronouncement
of judgment.

When the youthful offender has reached the age of twenty-one while
in commitment, the court shall determine whether to dismiss the
case in accordance with the next preceding article or to pronounce
the judgment of conviction.

In any case covered by this article, the youthful offender shall be

credited in the service of his sentence with the full time spent in
actual commitment and detention effected under the provisions of
this Chapter.

Art. 198. Effect of Release of Child Based on Good Conduct. - The

final release of a child pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter
shall not obliterate his civil liability for damages. Such release shall
be without prejudice to the right for a writ of execution for the
recovery of civil damages.

Art. 199. Living Quarters for Youthful Offenders Sentence. - When a

judgment of conviction is pronounced in accordance with the
provisions of Article 197, and at the time of said pronouncement
the youthful offender is still under twenty-one, he shall be
committed to the proper penal institution to serve the remaining
period of his sentence: Provided, That penal institutions shall
provide youthful offenders with separate quarters and, as far as
practicable, group them according to appropriate age levels or other
criteria as will insure their speedy rehabilitation: Provided, further,
That the Bureau of Prisons shall maintain agricultural and forestry
camps where youthful offenders may serve their sentence in lieu of
confinement in regular penitentiaries.

Art. 200. Records of Proceedings. - Where a youthful offender has

been charged before any city or provincial fiscal or before any
municipal judge and the charges have been ordered dropped, all the
records of the case shall be destroyed immediately thereafter.

Where a youthful offender has been charged and the court acquits
him, or dismisses the case or commits him to an institution and
subsequently releases him pursuant to this Chapter, all the records
of his case shall be destroyed immediately after such acquittal,
dismissal or release, unless civil liability has also been imposed in
the criminal action, in which case such records shall be destroyed
after satisfaction of such civil liability. The youthful offender
concerned shall not be held under any provision of law, to be guilty
of perjury or of concealment or misrepresentation by reason of his
failure to acknowledge the case or recite any fact related thereto in
response to any inquiry made of him for any purpose.

"Records" within the meaning of this article shall include those

which may be in the files of the National Bureau of Investigation
and with any police department, or any other government agency
which may have been involved in the case.

Art. 201. Civil Liability of Youthful Offenders. - The civil liability for
acts committed by a youthful offender shall devolve upon the
offender's father and, in case of his death or incapacity, upon the
mother, or in case of her death or incapacity, upon the guardian.
Civil liability may also be voluntarily assumed by a relative or family
friend of the youthful offender.

Art. 202. Rehabilitation Centers. - The Department of Social Welfare

shall establish regional rehabilitation centers for youthful offenders.
The local government and other non-governmental entities shall
collaborate and contribute their support for the establishment and
maintenance of these facilities.

Art. 203. Detention Homes. - The Department of Local Government

and Community Development shall establish detention homes in
cities and provinces distinct and separate from jails pending the
disposition of cases of juvenile offenders.

Art. 204. Liability of Parents or Guardian or Any Person in the

Commission of Delinquent Acts by Their Children or Wards. - A
person whether the parent or guardian of the child or not, who
knowingly or willfully,

(1) Aids, causes, abets or connives with the commission by a

child of a delinquency, or

(2) Does any act producing, promoting, or contributing to a

child's being or becoming a juvenile delinquent, shall be
punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred pesos or to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years, or both
such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.

TITLE IX
COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Chapter 1
CREATION AND COMPOSITION

Art. 205. Creation of the Council for the Welfare of Children. - A

Council for the Welfare of Children is hereby established under the
Office of President. The Council shall be composed of the Secretary
of Social Welfare as Chairman, and seven members, namely: The
Secretary of Justice, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of
Education and Culture, the Secretary of Health, the Presiding Judge
of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, City of Manila, and
two representatives of voluntary welfare associations to be
appointed by the President of the Philippines, each of whom shall
hold office for a term two years.

There shall be a permanent Secretariat for the Council headed by an

Executive Director, to be appointed by the Chairman and approved
by a majority of the members of the Council.

For actual attendance at regular meetings, the Chairman and each

member of the Council shall receive a per diem of one hundred
pesos for every meeting actually attended, but the total amount of
per diem that the Chairman and a member may receive in a month
shall in no case exceed five hundred pesos.

Art. 206. Appropriation. - The sum of five million pesos is hereby

appropriated, out of any funds in the National Treasury not
otherwise appropriated, for the operation and maintenance of the
Council for the Welfare of Children and Youth during the fiscal year.
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its operation and
maintenance shall be included in the General Appropriations
Decree.

Chapter 2
POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Art. 207. Powers and Functions. - The Council for the Welfare of
Children and Youth shall have the following powers and functions:
(1) To coordinate the implementation and enforcement of all
laws relative to the promotion of child and youth welfare;

(2) To prepare, submit to the President and circulate copies of

long-range programs and goals for the physical, intellectual ,
emotional, moral, spiritual, and social development of children
and youth, and to submit to him an annual report of the
progress thereof;

(3) To formulate policies and devise, introduce, develop and

evaluate programs and services for the general welfare of
children and youth;

(4) To call upon and utilize any department, bureau, office,

agency, or instrumentality, public, private or voluntary, for
 such assistance as it may require in the performance of its
functions;

(5) Perform such other functions as provided by law.

Art. 208. Offices to Coordinate with the Council for Welfare of

Children. - The following offices and agencies shall coordinate with
the Council for the Welfare of Children and Youth in the
implementation of laws and programs on child and youth welfare:
(1) Department of Justice

(2) Department of Social Welfare

(3) Department of Education and Culture

(4) Department of Labor

(5) Department of Health

(6) Department of Agriculture

(7) Department of Local Government and Community

Development;

(8) Local Councils for the Protection of Children; and such

other government and private agencies which have programs
on child and youth welfare.

Existing as well as proposed programs of the above-named agencies

as well as other government and private child and youth welfare
agencies as may be hereafter created shall be implemented by such
agencies: Provided, That, with the exception of those proposed by
the Local Councils for the Protection of Children, all long-range
child and youth welfare programs shall, before implementation, be
indorsed by the agencies concerned to their respective departments,
which shall in turn indorse the same to the Council for the Welfare
on Children and Youth, for evaluation, cooperation and
coordination.

Chapter 3
IMPLEMENTATION OF CODE AND RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY

Art. 209. Implementation of this Code and Rule-Making Authority. -

The enforcement and implementation of this Code shall be the
primary responsibility of the Council for the Welfare of Children.
Said Council shall have authority to promulgate the necessary rules
and regulations for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions
of this Code.

FINAL PROVISIONS

Art. 210. General Penalty. - Violations of any provisions of this Code

for which no penalty is specifically provided shall be punished by
imprisonment not exceeding one month or a fine not exceeding two
hundred pesos, or both such fine and imprisonment at the
discretion of the court, unless a higher penalty is provided for in the
Revised Penal Code or special laws.

Art. 211. Repealing Clause. - All laws or parts of any laws

inconsistent with the provisions of this Code are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly: Provided, That the provisions of the
Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972 and amendments thereto shall
continue to be in force and shall not be deemed modified or repealed
by any provision of this Code.

Art. 212. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Code is held

invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue in
operation.

Art. 213. Effectivity Clause. - This Code shall take effect six months
after its approval.

Done in the City of Manila, this 10th day of December, in the year of
Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-four.