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Media ReleasesSWP to Senate: Ensure budgets for child protection & anti-bullying programs for 2019 budget | SWP Press Statement 15 Jan 2019
SOCIALWATCH PHILS·TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 Social Watch Philippines, a network of over a hundred civil society organizations advocating for transparent, efficient, accountable and pro-poor utilization of public funds in the annual budget, appealed to the Senate of the Philippines to protect Filipino children from widespread violence, including bullying, through the 2019 budget. In particular, the 2015 National Baseline Survey on Violence Against Children (NBS-VAC) revealed that a whopping majority of children and youth experienced some form of violence in their lifetime, whether in the home, school, workplace or community. In response, the Department of Education - Philippines (DepEd) strengthened its child protection policy by proposing a budgetary increase. Unfortunately, DepEd's proposed budget of P54 million was cut by about P46-million at the executive level, seriously undermining programs like child protection. As such, Social Watch Philippines (SWP) appealed to the Senate to act swiftly and restore the slashed budget for child protection and anti-bullying measures as they deliberate on the proposed 2019 budget. The Senate resumed its deliberations of the 2019 General Appropriations Bill yesterday. “There is an urgent need to address all forms of violence against students in schools in a responsive and effective manner”, SWP Co-Convenor Rene Raya stressed. The Senate should follow the lead taken by the DepEd, which recently issued a Department Order on the release, use, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation of the 2018 child protection program funds for capacity building of education stakeholders, specifically on trainings/seminars on child protection and positive discipline in everyday teaching. “We commend the DepEd leadership for its firm action on ensuring funds for child protection, including mechanisms against bullying in schools, are made available”, Raya said. SWP is also proposing alternative budget proposals for child protection in key agencies such as DepEd, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Judiciary as proposed amendments to the 2019 budget bill. “The P2.3 billion alternative budget proposal of SWP in six agencies aims to strengthen policies, mechanisms, and capacities that will enable the reduction, if not, elimination of all forms of abuses in school settings, including against children with disability, as well as exploitation and neglect of children engaged in work, conflict and disaster situations”, Raya added. “Responsive and effective child protection programs and anti-bullying measures hinges on a firm policy commitment with adequate and sustained funding allocation in the national budget. The DepEd has already affirmed its commitment to work for the best interest of children through sustained public investment for child protection. We trust that the Senate will take affirmative action by ensuring adequate funding to protect and fulfill the rights of the child”, Raya said in closing. ###
Social Watch Philippines (SWP) is a network of over a hundred civil society organizations and individuals engaged in research and lobby efforts in holding the government accountable for the fulfillment of national, regional and international commitments to eradicate poverty and carry out social, economic, and gender justice. SWP promotes people-centered sustainable development by proactively monitoring the progress and delivery of social commitments forged by the government and influencing the outcomes of policy decisions through citizen's participation in public finance. Isagani R Serrano Marivic Raquiza Jeck Reyes-Cantos Rene Raya Janet Crndng Mars Mendoza Sheic Sims Dhel Lubyo AKTIB Philippines Tax Tobacco to the Max Maria Luz Anigan RoseAnn Batuigas John Christian Payumo Back to top |