Last Friday, I wrote about the apparent discriminatory policy of Globe telecom against call center agents and since then, I received messages from people I didn’t expect to contact me. After posting last week’s article, Globe Telecom denied that they have an anti-BPO employee policy and they don’t require for credit card for such applications. Globe Telecom, through its representative, also contacted me and the representative said that he will get back to me the soonest he hears from their internal team.

Five days and a thousand hits later, I still have yet to hear from them and I am totally confused because the representative and the Globe stores tell contradictory statements. So, I did some clarifications by calling their postpaid hotline and tried to inquire about the requirements.

This time, the Sales Specialist I talked with was very specific with the requirements. For BPO applicants, aside from the 3 major requirements, a credit card will be required for BPO employees working less than 2 years in the current BPO company. Also, the credit card requirement is not mandatory for BPO employees with managerial positions. I was also told that the minimum gross monthly income required to apply for a postpaid line is Php 10,000 (No problem with that as BPO employees, generally, earn more than that). Again, I also asked for explanation about this “mandatory policy” but I was denied of hearing one.

These specifics now raise few questions and let me enumerate them. (For simplicity’s sake, let’s assume we have Employee A who has worked for BPO Company X for more than 2 years and Employee B who has worked for the same company for less than 2 years). Why is Employee A not required to present a credit card? Apart from the duration of tenure, what is the difference between Employee A and Employee B and how can Globe Telecom arrive at the conclusion that the former will pay more faithfully than the latter? Also, how can Globe Telecom know that Employee C- let’s assume this employee has a managerial position- can pay more faithfully than Employee A?  With all of these, it is getting more apparent to me that there is a deliberate intention to make the application more difficult for BPO agents. Furthermore, what is more apparent- and this is my paranoid mind talking- is the assumption that call center agents can not and would not pay for their bills should their application be accepted.

A reply from Twitter said that Globe Telecom has the right to choose which person they will enter a contract with. I totally understand such  but then again, they could have phrased this policy in  a non-discriminatory manner. Whether the reason behind this policy is the high attrition rate or the relatively volatile nature of the industry, the sad thing is that they could get away with their discriminatory remarks. Such generalization hurts me because no proper disclosure was made and this policy remains to be told orally and not in writing. It appears that they have the intention to lure BPO agents into applying then drop their discriminatory policy right into our face.

I know that such policy may not be illegal and Globe Telecom has no legal liability in this particular case but they should be more sensitive enough to their consumer’s feelings. Yes, business is business and safeguarding revenue is their primary goal but that doesn’t excuse them to look down upon BPO agents who apparently are working as hard as the rest of the work force. With the BPO Industry’s relatively significant contribution to our economy, Globe Telecom should really study this specific policy. Better yet, they should refrain from making discriminatory and insulting policies at all times.

Updated (by editor) at 8:30 P< - Gelo scanned the guidelines below where no mention of credit card was required. Globe through their digital team informed me that ” bpo requirements for globe postpaid has been changed. Employee should present sufficient proof of income”

I am basically a nobody. I am just a relatively newly-hired call center agent with enough salary to keep me going. All I wanted– although I knew it is a luxury to have such– is to have a fancy phone as a pat on my back after working so hard every night, staying over the phone and listening to at least 2 Westerners curse at me. The previous sentences are out of the question but then again, I can’t help but feel disappointed when I started to apply for a postpaid plan. I felt disappointed that I can’t get myself into Globe Telecom’s policies.

Actually, not only am I disappointed. I felt discriminated and insulted.

As a Globe Telecom Prepaid user for years, I have been so satisfied with the services they offer. Even though I was with Sun Cellular for a brief period, I still went back with Globe because for me, nothing beats it. So when I set my goal to have myself enrolled in plan for a smartphone, I chose Globe already without any apprehension.

So there I was few hours ago: It was payday and I have the money for the deposit they required. I spent the past two months earning my keep just to have the money for deposit. Also, I already have all the requirements set up. I went to the store and presented all the documents they needed and lo and behold, I was asked if I have a credit card with me. I asked why and double checked the list of requirements they gave me. Credit card was never a requirement according to that list but when I asked, they said that for BPO employees applying for a postpaid account, a credit card IS a requirement. When I asked why this requirement apply specifically to BPO employees, they are so quick to reply to say it is the company’s policy.

I felt that I was discriminated and being looked down upon right then and there. Why isolate BPO employees? Why is the credit card requirement for BPO not listed on the requirement list? The only reason I can think of behind this policy is that they profiled BPO employees as “bad-payers” and by requiring us with a credit card would mean assurance that they will get paid. Obviously, such equivocation is a quick generalization and a head-to-toe insult to the whole BPO industry.

It was unfortunate that a telecom company who advertises it self with the slogan “Abot mo” (Within your reach) seem to have itself difficult “to be reached” for call center agents. I know they are up for business and want to secure their revenues, but having a special-case system with BPO employees is way out of line. Are they trying to impute that the BPO industry is so volatile that its workers can’t pay their monthly dues? Are they insinuating that call center agents are irresponsible when it comes to paying bills? Worse comes to worst, do they think that BPO call center agents are too poor to afford their plan? I would understand it better if they do this with all of their applicant, but no, call center agents are singled-out of the group. Had they backed this out with a plausible explanation, it would be more understandable but no, we can only hear them saying, “It’s company’s policy. The End. Goodbye”

Yes, the “protecting the business” part is quite understandable, but putting down a discriminating policy is what irks me the most. It is sad that even though one has already complied with the necessary documents, the application is being denied just because he is working in a very volatile industry. They may argue that call center agents may have their jobs unstable because they keep on shopping from one company to the other and not staying in one company for quite some time, but that is out of the question. They may also argue that US is passing anti-outsourcing law and endangers the entire industry as a whole, but that also is out of the question. One thing is obvious though, they don’t want– or at least it seems to be– call center agents as their customer mainly because they are JUST call center agents. Adding “uneducated” and “inexperienced” may be too harsh and exaggerating but that is how their message came to me.

If I were to give them the benefit of the doubt, the only question in my mind is so simple: Why this policy?

Updated 8:00 PM

Attached is page 1 of 4 of the Globe Price Bulletin as of January 20, 2012. As you may notice, credit card is given only as an option but not as a requirement. Also, there is no special note there saying that BPO companies should have a credit card and enroll in an auto-debit system.

REP. SUSAN YAP (Second District, Tarlac) PRESSCON STATEMENT
Save the Children Forum, February 1, 2012

In a country where cultural beliefs reinforce corporal punishment as a form of instilling discipline in children, it seems a long way to go before we can finally put an end to this violence that is most prevalent in a Filipino home. We often hear stories from our parents where they were forced to kneel on munggo beans, rock salt, or dried corn kernels by their parents every time they would commit mistake. Sadly, this kind of discipline has been going on from generation to generation. This is also the reason why there has been a heated debate before the Anti-Corporal Punishment bill or what we now call as the Positive and Nonviolent Discipline of Children Act (HB 4455) before passing Third and Final Reading in the House of Representatives filed by Rep. Susan Yap (Second District of Tarlac).

Since the 14th Congress, a number of bills which would prohibit corporal punishment have been filed but have failed to progress through both houses. To date, our bill is still pending in the Senate. Recognizing the importance of enacting this piece of legislation, advocates of the anti-corporal punishment bill have urged President Aquino to place the measure in the list of legislative priorities to be taken up by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

As a major proponent of this bill, I have often times found myself defending the need for a legislation that would expressly prohibit corporal punishment when the Philippines already has laws on child abuse. True, corporal punishment is prohibited in schools, in the penal system and in residential care institutions but it is still lawful in the home and in other care settings. In fact, we have numerous laws that provide defense if not directly support the use of corporal punishment in childrearing, i.e. Article 220 of the Family Code (1987), which states that the rights and duties of those exercising parental authority over children include “to impose discipline on them as may be required under the circumstances”. Likewise, Article 45 of the Child and Youth Welfare Code (1974) confirms the right of parents “to discipline the child as may be necessary for the formation of his good character”. These are only to name a few.

As it stands now, the penal provisions on child abuse cover the more common forms of corporal punishment prevalent at home, i.e. verbal abuse, hair pulling and spanking. The law on Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act (Republic Act 7610) even states that corporal punishment is not considered a form of cruelty so long as it is done or exercised in a reasonable way, is moderate in degree, and does not constitute physical and psychological injury.
Clearly, the Philippines need a law that would fill in the existing gaps in legislation and expressly prohibit the use of corporal punishment in all settings. The enactment of this law would help us provide clear guidelines that can finally put an end to our cultural belief that it is alright to hurt our children in the guise of discipline. A well-crafted legislation on positive and non-violent discipline will not only help end this violence at home, it would also help Filipino parents and other adults exercise their right to discipline children in a manner that upholds the children’s right to dignity and physical integrity.

The time is now for Filipino parents to accept the fact that corporal punishment is not an accepted mode of disciplining our children. Corporal punishment is a human rights violation and whatever cultural notions we have about it does not make it right and acceptable. The only way the Philippines can effectively eliminate corporal punishment of children is by addressing the gaps through the enactment of a law that would not just penalize corporal punishment of children but actively promote positive and nonviolent discipline of children.

I end this with a fervent hope that our goal of ending corporal punishment in the Philippines will be one step closer to reality this 15th Congress. Indeed, legislation will the pave way to making sure that our country will have no more “Nene” that will be made to endure kneeling down on rock salt by her own mother, and no more “Totoy” will be made to stay inside a closet without food for the night. I, together with the other proponents of the bill in the lower house, strongly urge our Senate counterpart to pass this very important piece of legislation so that the Philippines can be the first in Asia to make Filipino children safer in their own homes.

HB 4455 Positive Discipline in Lieu of Corporal Punishment of Children Act of 2011

The Anti-Corporal Punishment Bill recently passed in the House of Representatives but is still pending at the Senate could be first in the entire Asia, a visiting UN official said during her dialogue with children and the child rights advocates in Manila today.

According to Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) on Violence against Children, the proposed legislation could be first in the entire Asia should the Philippine Congress pass it this year. During the event, Marta said that she is going to speak about her visit in the Philippines during the UN meeting on violence against children in Geneva set March this year.

“I will mention my visit in Manila and tell them that the Philippines is one of the most important countries where I had a dialogue with the children themselves and heard their recommendations on how to eliminate violence among them,” said Marta.

She added, “I will also tell them that a law on anti-corporal punishment has been passed in the House of Representatives but is still pending in the Senate. I will also tell them that the bill needs to be passed as quickly as possible.”

House Bill 4455 titled “Promoting Positive Discipline of Children and Prohibiting Corporal Punishment Act” authored by Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy of Bagong Henerasyon Party List and Rep. Susan Yap of 2nd District of Tarlac was passed in 2011. The bill seeks to promote positive discipline techniques in all settings, including the home and institutions.

During the dialogue, children shared their situation and expressed their hope to be protected from all forms of abuse. One participant, a street child, laments the kind of treatment they experience inside temporary shelters where they are placed after being “rescued.” He said that they are treated like criminals when they are not; they are restricted as if they are in jail and are not allowed to play like children do. To make matters worse, these shelter staff orders older children to physically punish the younger ones.

He said, “ang trato po sa amin ay parang ganon na rin sa mga matatandang nagkakasala na nakakulong.”

Meanwhile, the Child Rights Network (CRN), a coalition of non-government and civil society organizations expressed hope that that the consultation and the recommendations gathered from various sectors will reach the proper authorizes through the United Nations.

Ms. Wilma Bañaga, Child Protection Adviser of Save the Children, CRN member said, “we hope that these recommendations will not fall on deaf ears and that our lawmakers and the concerned agencies will seriously consider enacting laws, strictly implementing existing laws, and establishing mechanisms to eliminate violence against children.

Here is the bill.

HB 4455 Positive Discipline in Lieu of Corporal Punishment of Children Act of 2011

Child Rights Situation

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If you want to know more about child rights and the situation of children in the Philippines from experts in government and private sector, join us in our REAL SPACE forum at ASTORIA PLAZA HOTEL. Free entrance, but LIMITED SLOTS AVAILABLE. Join us!

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SOCIAL MEDIA VS CHILD ABUSE: An Online & Real Space FORUM

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November 26, 2011 • 8:00am – 5:00pm

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• Children’s Participation in Media
• Child Abuse, Child Pornography, Child Labor and Child Trafficking
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Save the Children’s twelfth annual Mothers’ Index compares the well-being of mothers and children in 164 countries – more than in any previous year. The Mothers’ Index also provides information on an additional eight countries, four of which report sufficient data to present findings on children’s indicators. When these are included, the total comes to 172 countries.

Norway, Australia and Iceland top the rankings this year. The top 10 countries, in general, attain very high scores for mothers’ and children’s health, educational and economic status. Afghanistan ranks last among the 164 countries surveyed. The 10 bottom- ranked countries – eight from sub-Saharan Africa – are a reverse image of the top 10, per- forming poorly on all indicators. The united States places 31st this year.

The twelfth annual Mothers’ Index helps document conditions for mothers and children in 164 countries – 43 developed nations and 121 in the developing world – and shows where mothers fare best and where they face the greatest hardships. All countries for which sufficient data are available are included in the Index. Why should Save the Children be so concerned with mothers? Because more than 75 years of field experience have taught us that the quality of children’s lives depends on the health, security and well-being of their mothers. In short, providing mothers with access to education, economic opportunities and maternal and child health care gives mothers and their children the best chance to survive and thrive.

The Index relies on information published by governments, research institutions and international agencies.

The Complete Mothers’ Index, based on a composite of separate indices for women’s and children’s well-being, appears in the fold-out table in this appendix.

See the findings on page 30 of the study shown below the cut.

Norway generally performed as well as or better than other countries in the rankings on all indicators. It has the highest ratio of female-to-male earned income, the highest contraceptive prevalence rate, one of the lowest under-5 mortality rates and one of the most generous maternity leave policies in the developed world.

The Philippines is classified in Tier 2 under less developed countries minus least developed countries. Out of the 79 countries in Tier 2, the Philippines ranked 49 in the Mother’s Index Rank while the Children’s index rank is 65 out of 81 countries.

These statistics go far beyond mere numbers. The human despair and lost opportunities represented in these numbers demand mothers everywhere be given the basic tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and improve the quality of life for themselves, their children, and for generations to come.

2011 Mother’s Index

Liza Bayot, a great-grand niece of Dr. Jose Rizal sent me an email about the exciting activities of Jose Rizal’s 150th birthday celebration.

MyRizal’s mission is to deepen the Filipino’s knowledge of Rizal by encouraging all sectors of society to find meaningful ways to celebrate Rizal’s sesquicentennial and his ideals . One of their activity is the launching of PreMyo Rizal in coordination with Department of Education for grade 5, 6 and for 3rd and 4th year high school .

The other contest on the college level is in partnership with University of the Philippines. She hopes the maximum and enthusiastic participation by our students!

As students write their Rizal essays, it is the hope that they will develop an appreciation for our national hero and find their own ways of celebrating the Rizal in each of us!

Below is the invite and contest rules. Please share and disseminate.

Attention: All Principals/School Presidents, Teachers and Students of Grades 5 and 6, 3rd and 4th Year High School and All College Levels!!!

You are invited to participate in PreMYo Rizal, the nationwide essay writing contest organized by MyRizal in partnership with the Department of Education Special Events Unit (for grade school and high school) and with UP College of Arts & Letters (for college). Please refer to DepEd memo #178, s. 2011.

At stake: Cash prizes, and public announcement of national winners in newspapers, on radio and on TV!

Deadline for submission of entries:

For grade school and high school: Regional Finalists must be submitted by Oct. 31, 2011. Deadlines for individual schools are earlier, in order to meet the regional deadline. Please ask your school principals for your individual school deadlines.

For college: October 31, 2011.

For more details, please see attached Contest Rules and log on to www.myrizal150.com or download this invite and PreMyo Rizal Contest Rules below.

PreMyo Rizal Invite

PreMyo Rizal Contest Rules

This is a testimonial by Leilani Leano Mallorca on her claims that Tawa-Tawa tea helped increase platelet counts at the height of dengue fever. Please consult your doctor regarding treatment on dengue fever.

Ako po ay si Ginang Lani Leano Mallorca, 58 years old. Isa po akong linguist-translator sa MIndanao but now living here in Quezon City. Concerned citizen lang po ako lalo na sa dumaraming biktima ng dengue hemmorhagic fever lalo na sa mga kabataan. At medyo marami rami na rin ang namamatay!

Nakakalungkot po di ba?

Ako po kasi ay nakasubok magpainum ng TAWA-TAWA TEA sa aking 2 anak. Ang una ay may platelet count na lamang na 98 at may rashes na. Mabuti na lamang at maraming tawa-tawa sa labas ng aming opisina. In short, naglaga po ako ng maraming tangkay (espresso na para sure) at pinainum ko po siya ng total ay 4 na mugs ng mainit-init pa na tea nito. The next day, dinala sa Labor Hospital (QMMC) at doon nakita na ang platelet count niya ay naging 200!!! Wala pang 24 hours na pagpainum ko sa kanya! That was 3 years ago na. Lately lamang po, ang isang anak ko ay buntis pa. Pinainum ko rin nito at awa ng Diyos,ngayon ay nanganak na. Ang isa pa po ay batang 9 years old na na ICU na sa Banaue Children’s. 38 na lamang ang count niya awa ng Diyos wala pang hemmorhage. Pinainum ko rin po nito at two days later, nakauwi na ang bata. 20 ka tao na mahigit ang natulungan kong gumaling sa dengue dahil lamang sa tawa-tawa.

So sana po, dahil naresearch na pala ng St Luke’s Hospital na 99% ng dengue virus ay pinapatay ng tawa-tawa, (As per Jessica Soho’s TV program , State of the Nation last week) sana po ay i-endorse na ito ng Department of Health (DOH) para matulungan po ang napakaraming mga batang nagsisiksikan sa mga hospital natin ngayon. Totoo po na dapat magingat sa mga halamang gamot pero oras lamang po ang binibilang at ang sakit na ito ay napakadeadly. . . Kung hihintayin pa po ang mga research, mas marami pa ang batang malalagas. . . HIndi naman po sinasabi na huwag na magpahospital at maglaga na lamang sila nito. Kundi, alalay po sa kung ano man na ibinibigay nila sa mga pasyente na alam naman po ng mga doctor na WALA PANG GAMOT SA DENGUE. Itong tawa tawa lamang ang may mga testimonials na ng napagaling. Sa ibang bansa po ay marami na itong gamit at kahit sa MIndanao at sa mga probinsiya ay ito rin ang pinapainum sa mga may lagnat. Sana po ay huwag nilang ipagbawal lalo na ngayong ulan pa rin ng ulan at hindi pa ntin masusugpo na lubusan ang mga dengue carrying mosquitoes. Kung magsurf po at igoogle ang tawa-tawa or gatas gatas lalabas na po ang picture nito.

Pero upload kopa rinpo ang nga shots ko nito which I sent to my colleagues for them to be aware. Forewarned is forearmed! God bless po sa inyong lahat! Cellphone number ko po to those who are interested to ask for more info: 0910291-8876. Landline po sa office: 931-76-51 Translators Assoc.of the Philippines, 3 Diosdado, Don Enrique Hts. QC.

After learning that the Philippines is the global epicenter of marine biodiversity in the planet in a symposium, I had a sudden feeling of excitement, of pride for this country. The symposium entitled “Scientific Discovery and the Urgent Need for Conservation at the Philippine Epicenter of Marine Biodiversity” was a real eye opener and put Philippines back on the map as a place of interest on marine biosystems research.

But what makes for a regal distinction is a lamentable fact that we are in an almost-losing side of the battle towards conserving what seems to be the last bastion or fountain source for global marine life where all other communities of sea species originate or depend on for continued existence.

What does that mean exactly for us, for ordinary Filipino and policy makers, for all those who directly and indirectly manage and exploit our marine resources? Let’s go hands on and take a closer look.

Hypothesis on why the Philippines has a uniquely rich marine resources

The talk is lead by the renowned Dr. Kent Carpenter of the University of Hawaii. Dr. Carpenter’s bulk of work centers on marine evolution, systematics as well as the science of marine conservation.

Dr. Carpenter is one of the many scientists at the helm of a couple of research on the unique marine species found in the Philippines and how these species interact in and around the waters of the country including their migration habit. His fellow scientists made research on both the species that normally find their way on our table and those that aren’t. A total of six years of meticulous research since 2004 lead to the conclusion that the Philippines was indeed the global epicenter for marine biodiversity.

The Coral Triangle, the geographical area which consist the marine waters of Asian countries namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands, and the Philippines, is the center of interest among marine biologists and researchers. The comparative studies done in this area reveals a startling discovery as to the uniqueness and richness of marine species found in the Philippine coastal regions.

Other interesting aspects are the giant clams found in coral reefs along with the species of fishes that grow and travel to other parts of the coral triangle defining what seems to be the marine “signature” of the region, serving as markers to the behavior of fishes traveling in and out of Philippine waters.

The Philippines as the center of “evolution” among marine species in the Coral Triangle

Dr. Carpenter hypothesized as to what may have caused this overwhelmingly diverse marine resources of the Philippines, his list includes genetics, area of refuge (availability of habitat), and origin (where marine species evolve). The latter hypothesis point to the fact that the Philippine marine waters serve as a breeding ground for many marine species before setting themselves to other places in the Coral Triangle region. Another interesting fact is the maintenance of unique marine species in certain areas of Philippine waters due to water currents, or gyres, which prevent fishes and reef-building corals from traveling to other places.

Dr. Carpenter also noted that the Philippines has a significant coastline length with more marine species per unit area than any other place on earth capable of supporting an ideal environment for a vast marine refuge.

There should be a huge political interest with this discovery because the destruction or even a slight disturbance to equilibrium in the Philippine marine life would have a huge impact on fishes and other forms of life in the nearby oceans and seas. Being the place where marine species potentially evolve, what happens when the threat to vulnerable aquatic species continues?

Multilevel approach to remedy marine life destruction

The destruction of local marine biosystems is largely brought about by the deleterious fishing activities and the way we harness the resources around us such the ones we find upland. To rule that sea life is insusceptible and totally disconnected to poor land use is an outright disregard to the interconnectedness of the earth’s levy of flora and fauna.

With many local fishermen involved in illegal fishing activities and conniving with unconscientious poachers, you may find it easy to come down on them. But this harsh reality is an opportunity for us and the government to device plans of action to reverse this growing rape to our seas, protect, and bring it back to life.

People in the coastal communities are the ones with direct access to the vast resources of seas. Today more than ever, they they’re the ones who need information on the adverse effects of disturbing the balance of our seas through inappropriate fishing or over-consumption of its limited resources. Policing could be a reflex approach to it but policy makers would have to look at and consider a multilevel approach to supporting local communities by means of education, financial support, health care for them and their families, making funding available to provide the newest fishing methods, technology and resources to sustainably manage our ocean reserve. By doing this we empower them to protect the sea around them and make every effort to keep it from those who want to exploit it for personal gain. With that, they themselves will become the local police to that region.

Poverty and Greed

Over-exploitation is motivated both by poverty and greed where the former affects coastal community settlers and the latter personified by unscrupulous businessmen. We can’t protect anyone or anything if we our weak. Communities living the coastal region are weak because they are poor and the instinct to survival is the consumption of any resources available at your disposal which is in this case the sea.

We have the responsibility to protect the weak. The real test to nationhood is cooperation, moral co-existence, social justice. It can’t be any clearer than that.

How wonderful to think the Philippines is home to vast aquatic species which chose it to be their breeding grounds before they set their fins to distant seas. But its quite frustrating at the same time to realize that little effort is done to protect it. Its not yet too late to do the first step to protecting our seas and thwart the adversity that endangers their existence. Pledge to support Save Philippine Seas today and be part of the effort in safeguarding and conserving our diverse marine life.

A group of child rights advocates expressed appreciation with the House of Representatives for the approval of an important legislation that will protect the rights of children against abuse.

The bill, “An Act Promoting Positive and Non-violent Discipline of Children” authored by Reps. Susan Yap (1st District, Tarlac) and Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Bagong Henerasyon Partylist), was approved in the House of Representatives on 3rd and final reading.

According to Ernesto Almocera, Jr. of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD) and the Child Rights Network (CRN) Secretariat, the bill promotes the use of non-violent means to discipline children instead of corporal or physical punishment which has negative effects to children.

Almocera explains, “the passage of the bill in the House of Representatives is a step towards the fulfillment of the Philippines’ obligation to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which has recommended the passage of a bill that will end physical punishment.”

Corporal punishment as defined by the UNCRC is any punishment in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light. It also considers corporal punishment and other non-physical but equally cruel and degrading forms of punishment, which includes punishment which belittles, humiliates, denigrates, scapegoats, threatens, scares or ridicules the child.

Meanwhile, the group has high hopes that the senate will take a cue and will also fast track the hearing of the counterpart bill filed by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada pending at the Committee on Youth, Women and Family Relations chaired by Sen. Pia S. Cayetano.

“CRN is looking forward to the swift movement of the Senate bill to expedite the enactment of a law that will help parents and other individuals who have responsibility over children teach discipline without physically or psychologically hurting them,” explained Almocera.

“More importantly, it will also protect the rights of children against any form of abuse in other settings such as the school, alternative care centers and even at home.” ended Almocer.

Studies show thousands of children suffer injuries as a result of corporal punishment.

Here is the bill.

HB 4455 Positive Discipline in Lieu of Corporal Punishment of Children Act of 2011

Child Rights Situation