CHR sees enhanced mandate with passage of Magna Carta of Children bill
Commission on Human Rights INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) believes the passage of House Bill (HB) No. 10159, or the proposed Magna Carta of Children, will strengthen its mandate, designating the commission as the country’s watchdog on the matter.
CHR in a statement on Friday said that HB No. 10159 also would ensure that provisions in the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) are implemented properly.
HB No. 10159, authored by House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, was deliberated during the hearing of the House committee on welfare of children last Monday. It was approved at the committee level and will now be forwarded to the House plenary for further discussions and possible amendments.
“[CHR] urges for the swift passage of House Bill No. 10159, or the Magna Carta of Children Bill. We positively envision this to strengthen our monitoring mechanisms in ensuring the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child in the country,” CHR said in a statement.
“During the first House Committee hearing headed by Rep. Angelica Natasha Co of the Committee on the Welfare of Children, the CHR took part in the discussions through Commissioner Beda A. Epres as the Focal for Child Rights to highlight its role in the protection and promotion of all Filipino children. Once HB 10159 is passed into law, the CHR will be designated as the country’s Ombud for Children,” it added.
According to CHR, the UNCRC requires member states to “take all appropriate measures to ensure that the rights of all children are guaranteed”. The bill, meanwhile contains the four basic principles of the UNCRC in the Philippine landscape:
– non-discrimination
– to regard the best interests of the child as a primary consideration of the State
– right to survival and development
– respecting the views of the child.
“The Magna Carta incorporates the four basic principles of the UNCRC into the Philippine landscape: (a) non-discrimination, (b) to regard the best interests of the child as a primary consideration of the State, (c) right to survival and development, and (d) respecting the views of the child,” CHR said.
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“The CHR, through its Child Rights Center, is a member of the Core Group of the Magna Carta of Children bill and is also involved in the advocacy and lobbying work for the passage of HB 10159,” it added.
Several child rights advocate groups have called for the passage of the bill, like the Child Rights Network Philippines, which said that if passed into law, it would be the “single most comprehensive and cohesive legislation that will protect the rights and welfare of children.”
CHR said they will support Congress in passing the bill, and will remain open to further consultations on the matter.
“The Commission anticipates full support of the Congress in the passage of the bill to demonstrate their commitment to recognizing the vital role of children in nation-building through effective delivery of services targeted to promote and protect their overall well-being,” CHR said.
“For our part, CHR will continue to be open for consultation to ensure that the Magna Carta for Children fully responds to the rights of every Filipino child,” it added.
