DEPED ORDER NO.

40, SERIES OF 2012, CHILD PROTECTION POLICY (Policy and

Guidelines on Protecting Children in School from Abuse, Violence, Exploitation,
Discrimination, Bullying and Other Forms of Abuse)

BACKGROUND.

 1987 Constitution. “The state recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation building
and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social
well-being” (Article 11, Section 13).
 “The State shall defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and
nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation,
and other conditions prejudicial to their development”. (Art. 15, Sec. 3)
 1990. Philippines ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) adopted by the
United Nations General Assembly in 1989.
 17 June 1992. Philippine Congress enacted Republic Act 7610 “An Act Providing Stronger
Deterrence and Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination”
(“The Child Abuse Law/Act”).
 2002. Philippines ratified two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child
on (a) the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and (b) the involvement of
children in armed conflict.
 2003- R.A. 9231, The Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Affording Stronger
Protection for the Working Child
 2004. Republic Act No. 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act

The DEPED STUDY on Violence Against Children

Summary of Reports on Bullying, Child and Sexual Abuse Cases (SY 2012-2013, including those
reports submitted to our office as of September 2013)
Region Bullying Child Abuse Total

CAR 216 12 228

NCR 443 46 489

I 24 6 30

II 7 9 16

III 10 8 18

IV-A 112 71 183

IV-B 48 19 67

49
V 18 31
5
Region Bullying Child Abuse Total

VI 114 20 134

VII 13 17 30

VIII 6 10 16

IX 5 11 16

X 1 4 5

XI 61 6 67

XII 85 11 96

XIII 2 10 12

Total 1165 291 1456

Percentage 80% 20% 100%

DepEd Order NO. 40, series 2012 institutionalized zero tolerance against any form of violence
against the child and provided for the establishment of a Child Protection Committee (CPC) in
all public and private schools.

 REPUBLIC ACT 7610 (1992) or the Anti-Child Abuse Law

RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act
provides special protection to children from all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation and
discrimination.

Under Article 1, Section 3 of the law refers to child abuse as the maltreatment, whether habitual or
not, of the child which includes psychological and physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse and
emotional maltreatment.

Meanwhile, Article VI, Section 10 of the law states that any person who shall commit any other acts
of child abuse, cruelty or exploitation shall suffer the penalty of prison mayor in its minimum period.

 PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 603

The Child and Youth Welfare Code or PD No. 603 was signed in 1974 by then president Ferdinand
Marcos.

It states the importance of the child, his rights and responsibilities as well as the role that the state,
school and his parents play in promoting his general welfare.

Under Article 3, it guarantees the child's right to protection against exploitation, improper influences,
hazards, and other conditions or circumstances prejudicial to his physical, mental, emotional, social
and moral development.

 REPUBLIC ACT No. 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006

The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 was signed into law on April 28, 2006 by then
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The law establishes a comprehensive juvenile justice and welfare system. It also created the Juvenile
Justice and Welfare Council under the Department of Justice.
Under Section 13, it states the responsibility of the educational system that should work together with
families, community organizations and agencies in the prevention of juvenile delinquency and in the
rehabilitation and reintegration of child in conflict with the law.