Adoption of Child 21 for Child Welfare

The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) is recognized as the highest policy making body for children with a mandate to formulate long range programs for the welfare and best interest of children.
The Philippines previously formulated the Philippine Plan of Action for Children (PPAC) through the CWC in 1991 to implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
Proclamation 855 is cited as having called upon the CWC to lead in the operationalization of the PPAC and directed agencies and organizations to support its implementation.
Child 21 is adopted as a 25-year strategic framework for planning programs and interventions that promote and safeguard the rights of Filipino children.

Section 1 provides that Child 21 shall be adopted and shall serve as the framework for all programs, activities and initiatives for children.
Section 1 directs the adoption of accompanying Medium Term Development Plans and Sectoral Frameworks that are within the context of Child 21.
Section 1 expressly includes sectoral frameworks such as the Framework for Action Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children as part of the adopted accompanying frameworks.

Section 2 designates the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) as the lead agency to undertake activities for dissemination and implementation.
Section 2 provides that the CWC shall carry out dissemination and implementation through its different structures/committees on children at the different levels.

Section 3 directs the enumerated agencies to integrate Child 21-related programs and activities into their respective yearly budget proposals.
Section 3 requires the agencies to have specific performance indicators against their approved budgets.
Section 3 names the agencies required to integrate Child 21:
- Department of Social Welfare and Development
- Department of Health
- Department of Education, Culture and Sports
- Department of Labor and Employment
- Department of Justice
- Department of the Interior and Local Government
- Department of Agriculture
- National Economic and Development Authority
- National Nutrition Council
- National Youth Commission

Section 4 enjoins All Local Government Units (LGUs) to integrate Child 21 in their Local Development Plans.
Section 4 requires LGUs to charge related programs and activities against their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

Section 5 encourages Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Peopleas Organizations, Childrenas Organizations, Church-based Organizations, and other concerned groups to contribute.
Section 5 provides that civil society contributions shall support programs, services and activities for children for both government and NGOs.

Section 6 requires all member agencies of the CWC to issue department orders.
Section 6 mandates that the department orders adopt and implement programs and projects to achieve the Child 21 goals and targets.
Section 6 ties the programs and projects to their Sectoral/Agency Plans and the Child 21 goals and targets indicated in those sectoral/agency plans.

Section 7 appropriates Five Million (P5,000,000.00) Pesos from the Presidentas Social Fund for implementation expenses of the Council for the Welfare of Children under Executive Order No. 310.
Section 7 provides that thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for this purpose shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act for the CWC and other concerned agencies.