Bill protecting children from physical punishment filed in House

A bill seeking to protect children from physical, humiliating, and degrading forms of punishment has been filed in the House of Representives.

According to Lei Alviz's report on "24 Oras," House Bill No. 1269 filed by Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy is pushing for "positive and non-violent discipline."

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed three out of children and adolescents aged five to 14 years old experience corporal punishment.

This affects not only their physical development but even their mental health, and academic performance.

Children may also develop violent tendencies because of this, the WHO added.

In 2019, both chambers of Congress passed a consolidated version of the proposed legislation but it was vetoed by then-President Rodrigo Duterte. Lawmakers said they are hopeful the measure will be passed under the Marcos administration.

"No child shall be subjected to any form of physical, humiliating acts as a form of punishment... in homes, institutions, alternative care systems, the juvenile welfare system, places of religious worship, and in all other settings where there is direct contact with a child," Section 5 of the bill said.

The proposed measure provides for interventions in the barangay level. It does not prevent the filing of criminal cases if the offense is punishable under the Revised Penal Code and other special laws.

It mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Council for the Welfare of Children, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Health, Department of Justice, and Department of Labor and Employment to come up witha program to promote posirive and nonviolent discipine. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News