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Also, the matters contained in the following were written in accordance with the law, rules, and jurisprudence prevailing at the time of writing and posting, and do not include any future developments on the subject matter under discussion.
AT A GLANCE:
Pursuant to Proclamation No. 100, series of 1948, the 19th day of November every year is designated as National Child Health Day.
Proclamation No. 100, series of 1948 declares the 19th day of November of every year as National Child Health Day.
The law says:
“The observance of National Child Health Day established by Proclamation No. 316, dated September 5, 1938, is hereby transferred from the third Friday of October to the nineteenth day of November of each year.” (Proclamation No. 100, s. 1948)
Who is a child?
A child is referred to as any “person below eighteen (18) years of age or one who is over eighteen (18) but is unable to fully take care of or protect himself/herself from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition.” (Section 3, par. b, R.A. No. 10364)
Presidential Decree No. 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code provides that children are 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. (Article 1, P.D. No. 603)
The law recognizes that every child shall enjoy special protection ad shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and by other means, to ensure and enable his/her fullest development physically, mentally, emotionally, morally, spiritually or socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity appropriate to his/her corresponding mental age. (Article 10, P.D. No. 603)
The law further says:
“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.” (Article 11, P.D. No. 603)
The Child and Youth Welfare Code likewise provides for the rights of children.
The law says:
“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.” (Article 3, P.D. No. 603)
Read also: World Clean and Green Week (Proclamation No. 244, Series of 1993)
Alburo Alburo and Associates Law Offices specializes in business law and labor law consulting. For inquiries regarding taxation and taxpayer’s remedies, you may reach us at info@alburolaw.com, or dial us at (02)7745-4391/0917-5772207.
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