MANILA – The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure protecting children from physical, humiliating or degrading acts of punishment from the elderly.
In a 164-1-0 voting, the lawmakers have approved the passage of House Bill 8239, or the “Positive and Non-Violent Discipline of Children Act.” The Senate has earlier passed its own version of the measure.
Under the bill, children must be spared from any form of physical, humiliating or degrading acts of punishment at home, in schools, institutions, alternative care systems, the juvenile welfare system, places of religious worship, and all other settings where there is direct contact with children.
Reports of such acts must be brought to the attention of barangay officials, who were tasked to immediately determine whether a reported act may be considered a form of “physical, humiliating or degrading punishment against the child concerned.”
If the act is considered a violation to the bill, the barangay captain may refer both the offender and the offended party to mediation and conciliation, and recommend temporary protection orders if the offended party’s safety is at stake.
Repetition of the act by the offenders will require them to undergo seminars on positive discipline, anger management and children’s rights; counseling; and therapy sessions; or avail themselves of other rehabilitative services available.
Furthermore, offenders may be slapped with criminal charges if the act is punishable under the Revised Penal Code.
The measure will be tackled next at the bicameral conference committee where lawmakers will reconcile conflicting provisions./PN
