TITLE V

CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE AND THE COMMUNITY

Chapter I
DUTIES IN GENERAL OF THE COMMUNITY

Art. 84. Community Defined. - As used in this Title, a community shall mean, the local government, together with the society of individuals or institutions, both public and private, in which a child lives.

Art. 85. Duties of the Community. - To insure the full enjoyment of the right of every child to live in a society that offers or guarantee him safety, health, good moral environment and facilities for his wholesome growth and development, it shall be the duty of the community to:

(1) Bring about a healthy environment necessary to the normal growth of children and the enhancement of their physical, mental and spiritual well-being;

(2) Help institutions of learning, whether public or private, achieve the fundamental objectives of education;

(3) Organize or encourage movements and activities, for the furtherance of the interests of children and youth;

(4) Promote the establishment and maintenance of adequately equipped playgrounds, parks, and other recreational facilities;

(5) Support parent education programs by encouraging its members to attend and actively participate therein;

(6) Assist the State in combating and curtailing juvenile delinquency and in rehabilitating wayward children;

(7) Aid in carrying out special projects for the betterment of children in the remote areas or belonging to cultural minorities or those who are out of school; and

(8) Cooperate with private and public child welfare agencies in providing care, training and protection to destitute, abandoned, neglected, abused, handicapped and disturbed children.

Chapter 2
COMMUNITY BODIES DEALING WITH CHILD WELFARE

Section. A. Barangay Councils

Art. 86. Ordinances and Resolutions. - Barangay Councils shall have the authority to enact ordinances and resolutions not inconsistent with law or municipal ordinances, as may be necessary to provide for the proper development and welfare of the children in the community, in consultation with representatives of national agencies concerned with child and youth welfare.

Art. 87. Council for the Protection of Children. - Every barangay council shall encourage the organization of a local Council for the Protection of Children and shall coordinate with the Council for the Welfare of Children and Youth in drawing and implementing plans for the promotion of child and youth welfare. Membership shall be taken from responsible members of the community including a representative of the youth, as well as representatives of government and private agencies concerned with the welfare of children and youth whose area of assignment includes the particular barangay and shall be on a purely voluntary basis.

Said Council shall:

(1) Foster the education of every child in the barangay;

(2) Encourage the proper performance of the duties of parents, and provide learning opportunities on the adequate rearing of children and on positive parent-child relationship;

(3) Protect and assist abandoned or maltreated children and dependents;

(4) Take steps to prevent juvenile delinquency and assist parents of children with behavioral problems so that they can get expert advise;

(5) Adopt measures for the health of children;

(6) Promote the opening and maintenance of playgrounds and day-care centers and other services that are necessary for child and youth welfare;

(7) Coordinate the activities of organizations devoted to the welfare of children and secure their cooperation;

(8) Promote wholesome entertainment in the community, especially in movie houses; and

(9) Assist parents, whenever necessary in securing expert guidance counseling from the proper governmental or private welfare agency.

In addition, it shall hold classes and seminars on the proper rearing of the children. It shall distribute to parents available literature and other information on child guidance. The Council shall assist parents, with behavioral problems whenever necessary, in securing expert guidance counseling from the proper governmental or private welfare agency.

Art. 88. Barangay Scholarships. - Barangay funds may be appropriated to provide annual scholarship for indigent children who, in judgment of the Council for the Protection of Children, deserve public assistance in the development of their potentialities.

Art. 89. Youth Associations in Barangays. - Barangay councils shall encourage membership in civil youth associations and help these organizations attain their objectives.

Art. 90. Aid to Youth Associations. - In proper cases, barangay funds may be used for the payment of the cost of the uniforms and equipment required by these organizations.

Section. B. Civic Associations of Adults

Art. 91. Civic Associations of Adults. - As used in this Title, a civic association shall refer to any club, organization or association of individuals twenty-one years of age or over, which is directly or indirectly involved in carrying out child welfare programs and activities.

Art. 92. Accounting of Proceeds or Funds. - It shall be the duty of any civic association of adults holding benefits or soliciting contributions pursuant to the provisions of the next preceding article, to render an accounting of the proceeds thereof to the Department of Social Welfare or to the city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be.

Art. 93. Functions. - Civic associations and youth associations shall make arrangements with the appropriate governmental or civic organization for the instruction of youth in useful trades or crafts to enable them to earn a living.

Art. 94. Youth Demonstrations. - Any demonstrations sponsored by any civic associations and youth associations shall be conducted in a peaceful and lawful manner.

Art. 95. Unwholesome Entertainment and advertisements. - It shall be the duty of all civic associations and youth associations to bring to the attention of the proper authorities the exhibition of indecent shows and the publication, sale or circulation of pornographic materials.

The Board of Censors or the Radio Control Board may, upon representation of any civic association, prohibit any movie, television or radio program offensive to the proprieties of language and behavior.

Commercial and advertisements and trailers which are improper for children under eighteen years of age due to their advocating or unduly suggesting violence, vices, crimes and immorality, shall not be shown in any movie theater where the main feature is for general patronage nor shall they be used or shown during or immediately before and after any television or radio program for children.

Art. 96. Complaint Against Child Welfare Agency. - Any civic association and any youth association may complain to the officials of any public or private child-caring agency about any act or omission therein prejudicial to the wards of such agency.

If the complaint is not acted upon, it may be brought to the Council for the Protection of Children or the Department of Social Welfare, which shall promptly investigate the matter and take such steps as may be necessary.

Art. 97. Studies and Researches. - The government shall make available such data and technical assistance as may be needed by civic associations conducting studies and researches on matters relating to child welfare, including the prevention of juvenile delinquency.

Art. 98. Exchange Programs. - Student exchange programs sponsored by civic associations or youth associations shall receive the support and encouragement of the State.

Section. C. Youth Associations

Art. 99. Youth Associations. - As used in this Title, a youth association shall refer to any club, organization or association of individuals below twenty-one years of age which is directly or indirectly involved in carrying out child or youth welfare programs and activities.

Art. 100. Rights and Responsibilities. - All youth associations shall enjoy the same rights and discharge the same responsibilities as civic associations as may be permitted under existing laws.

Art. 101. Student Organizations. - All student organization in public or private schools shall include in their objectives the cultivation of harmonious relations among their members and with the various segments of the community.

Chapter 3
COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE HOME AND THE COMMUNITY

Art. 102. Proper Atmosphere for Children. - The home shall aid the community in maintaining an atmosphere conducive to the proper upbringing of children, particularly with respect to their preparation for adult life and the conscientious discharge of their civic duties as a whole.

Art. 103. Unwholesome Influence. - The home and the community shall cooperate with each other in counteracting and eliminating such influences as may be exerted upon children by useless and harmful amusements and activities, obscene exhibitions and programs, and establishments inimical to health and morals.