STAKEHOLDERS from the government and private organizations have expressed their support for the proposed Magna Carta of Children Act.

Thus, the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality ended its deliberations on Senate Bill 2612.

During the hearing, Committee chairperson Risa Hontiveros stressed that the time has come to enact the measure, as she cited cases of child abuse in Socorro, Surigao del Norte, and those that were allegedly perpetrated by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ’s leader, Apollo Quiboloy.

“While many of our children’s laws are already based on the principles of human rights, this bill is the most comprehensive and cohesive rights-based piece of legislation that provides a legal framework for recognizing, protecting, and promoting the rights of children. It codifies existing legislation and harmonizes its provisions with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,” Hontiveros said.

The bill focuses on children’s rights to life and survival, the right to development, the right to be protected, and the right to participate, among others.

The lawmaker added that the bill will guide government policies and programs to ensure that our children’s human rights are constantly upheld.

During the discussion, Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Elaine Fallarcuna proposed that the measure should include children’s access to justice so they won’t be afraid to report any injustice.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment suggested the creation of a comprehensive package of services to be provided by government agencies to eliminate child labor in the Philippines.