New Senate Bills Aim To Strengthen Protection For Women, Children

The Senate is taking steps to improve safety measures for vulnerable groups in the country. On March 6, the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality met to review three key bills aimed at strengthening the protection of women and children in tourism, healthcare, and law enforcement.

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New Bills Aimed at Enhancing Protection for Women and Children

The hearing, led by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, focused on the following: Senate Bill No. 2971, also known as the Child Tourist Safety Act (Sandy’s Act); SB 2401, the Women and Children Protection Units (WCPU) Act; and SB 2256, the Philippine Amber Alert Act.

Child Tourist Safety Act (Sandy's Act)

Senator Hontiveros, who authored the Child Tourist Safety Act, emphasized the importance of protecting children in the tourism sector, especially given the rising risks young visitors face at popular tourist destinations.

The bill, named after six-year-old Sandy Garovillas, was introduced following her tragic passing from a jellyfish sting at a resort that lacked immediate medical help.

"Sandy's Act seeks to prevent, mitigate, and respond to risks affecting children and other visitors to Philippine tourist destinations by ensuring access to emergency medical services, life-saving equipment, and facilities," Hontiveros explained. She also acknowledged Sandy's parents, Edward and Sarah Garovillas, who were present to share their daughter's story.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed that in 2021, 1,056 of the 3,604 drowning deaths were children aged one to 14, making drowning the second leading cause of death for children between five and nine. Other dangers, like animal bites, spinal injuries, and infectious diseases, also continue to threaten vacationing families.

Sandy's Act would require tourism-related establishments to ensure emergency medical access, employ trained lifeguards, and maintain essential safety equipment. Non-compliance could lead to fines, imprisonment, or even the revocation of business permits in cases of negligence resulting in injury or death.

Women and Children Protection Units (WCPU) Act

Meanwhile, Senator Loren Legarda's WCPU Act aims to establish dedicated protection units in government hospitals to provide medical, psychological, and legal support for victims of abuse. Legarda pointed to alarming statistics from the Council for the Welfare of Children, which reported 8,948 child abuse cases in 2022, 72% of which involved sexual abuse or assault.

Philippine Amber Alert Act

The Philippine Amber Alert Act, introduced by Senator Mark Villar, seeks to create an emergency alert system for missing children. Similar to systems used in the United States, it would send urgent information via television, radio, and digital platforms in cases of suspected kidnapping or abduction.

Under the Bill, triggering a false Amber Alert or providing misleading information would carry a fine of up to P1 million.

The hearing also highlighted challenges around law enforcement coordination, emergency response preparedness, and funding for the proposed measures.

These bills, all filed in 2022, are part of the Senate's ongoing efforts to enhance the protection of women and children in the Philippines. As they progress, they will serve as valuable additions to existing laws aimed at improving the safety and well-being of vulnerable groups in the country.