Philippine Alternative Report on the Implementation of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), 2004
Children's NGO Network (CNN)
E-mail: clbphils@pacific.net.ph

This is a report by 40 Visayas and Mindanao-based NGOs on the situation of the UN CRC in their areas. It summarizes the findings during the consultation workshops. Different issues were discussed such as child abuse, juvenile justice, and child support. The situation of the children in Philippines, general comments on the State party report, and measures of implementing the provisions of the CRC were presented and discussed. Definitions of the child, and the civil rights and freedom granted under the CRC and the Philippine law were analyzed. Other issues concerning children were discussed, like family environment and alternative care, basic health and welfare, education, leisure and cultural activities, special protection measures, and the right to a healthy environment. The recommendations were: 1) A systematic review of Philippine laws vis-a-vis the provisions of the UNCRC and other related international instruments to which the Philippines is a signatory should be undertake n b y the congress; 2) That the government exert efforts to implement existing laws on children and to implement programs for the full implementation of the UNCRC; and 3) The government should work together with the NGOs for the above purpose.