PARANAQUE City 2nd District Rep. Joy Myra Tambunting has filed a measure that seeks to create programs to give opportunity to incarcerated parents to build stable and solid relationships with their children.

Tambunting said House Bill 8106 or the proposed Parents in Jail Act of 2020 recognizes the right of children to special protection from all forms of neglect and other conditions prejudicial to their development.

Under the measure, incarcerated parents are to be given various options concerning the care and custody of their minor children.

Under the measure, prison facilities shall establish child-friendly visitation opportunities for solo parents and children, including the creation of special visitation rooms.

House Bill 8106 shall also establish programs for the provision of counselling, health and other social services to the incarcerated parents and their children.

“This measure is proposed to remove the distinction between a mother and a father among incarcerated parents, so that solo fathers may also be able to access the privileges provided by this Act,” Tambunting said in her explanatory note.

A coordinating body comprised of representatives from the Department of Justice, the Bureau of Corrections, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health shall also be established.