Senate ratifies bicam report on positive discipline of children

The Senate has ratified the bicameral conference committee report on a bill promoting positive and non-violent discipline of children.

The bill seeks to protect children from all forms of physical and mental abuse, injury, maltreatment or exploitation used in the context of discipline.

“It recognizes and upholds the right of children as human beings to equal protection of the law, and ensures their protection from all forms of physical and mental violence,” Senator Risa Hontiveros said in her sponsorship speech on Monday.

Hontiveros added that the bill promotes positive and non-violent discipline of children at home, schools, in workplaces, and alternative care systems by encouraging behavior change in adults which would be complemented with the necessary structural support such as social programs that will provide necessary support for the child, parents, and other child givers.

The senator said the bill respects the responsibilities, rights and duties of parents and other individuals responsible for the child, and it provides a supportive and enabling environment for parents “to fulfill their parental responsibilities in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of children.”

Furthermore, Hontiveros said the bill ensures the observance of international standards of child protection, especially those found in international conventions and treaties to which the Philippines is a party.

“With the ratification of this bicameral report we look forward to raising our children in a manner that is both loving and caring, as it is non-violent,” Hontiveros said. /cbb