House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez urged his fellow lawmakers to unite in advancing the passage of the proposed Magna Carta of Children—the landmark measure aimed at promoting a nurturing environment for the nation’s youth.

Romualdez issued this call on Wednesday, Nov. 20, which coincided with the celebration of National Children’s Day under this year’s theme “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines”.

“The theme of today’s celebration challenges us to confront the realities of violence and neglect faced by millions of Filipino children,” the Speaker said in a statement.

“The Magna Carta for Children is a proactive step toward ending these injustices and creating a safer, brighter future for our children,” he added.

Embodied in House Bill (HB) No. 10159, the Magna Carta of Children seeks to institutionalize a comprehensive framework for protecting, developing, and empowering Filipino children. 

Romualdez, the bill’s principal author, said the measure strengthens existing child protection measures and addresses current gaps to ensure that no child is left behind.

“It is a testament to our collective commitment to uphold children’s rights and to safeguard their future,” he noted.

Key features of the bill include the elimination of child labor, the promotion of positive parenting, and the designation of children as “zones of peace” in conflict areas.

It also mandates the establishment of child-friendly spaces, strengthening institutions that serve children, and ensuring access to education, healthcare, and legal aid.

The provisions of the bill are aligned with the enshrining principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), such as non-discrimination, survival, development, and child participation.

Romualdez said the bill’s comprehensive framework lays a strong foundation for the protection of the dignity and future of every Filipino child.

“The Magna Carta for Children is more than a piece of legislation—it is an expression of our commitment to secure the rights and dignity of every Filipino child,” the House leader said.

“By prioritizing their welfare, we prioritize the future of our nation,” he stressed.

HB No. 10159 was approved by the House Committee on the Welfare of Children last May 13. The bill is now pending its second reading before the plenary.

The Magna Carta of Children’s counterpart measure, Senate Bill (SB) No. 2612, has been referred to the Senate Joint Committees on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, and Finance. 

The bill, authored by Senator Risa Hontiveros, has been awaiting deliberation since March 19.

Universal birth registration

Romualdez, the representative of Leyte’s 1st district, is also calling for the immediate passage of HB No. 9572, or the proposed Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Act.

The measure proposes accessible and inclusive birth registration services, particularly for children, indigenous peoples (IPs), Muslim Filipinos, and members of marginalized communities.

It aims to address the challenges faced by over 3.7 million unregistered Filipinos, including more than a million children, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The bill, according to the Speaker, complements the Magna Carta of Children by ensuring that all children have legal recognition and access to essential services.

“It is unacceptable that so many of our children remain invisible to the State, deprived of access to education, healthcare, and legal protections,” said Romualdez.

“This measure ensures that every Filipino child is recognized, protected, and given the tools to succeed,” he continued.

The House leader highlighted that the CRVS bill will lead the Philippines toward a more inclusive society where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

HB No. 9572 also aims to remove barriers that disproportionately affect marginalized communities while improving the integrity of civil records.

After its approval from the House Committee on Population and Family Relations, the bill is now pending in the Committee on Appropriations.

Building a bright future

Speaker Romualdez called on lawmakers from both the House of Representatives and the Senate to act swiftly on these landmark measures.

He underscored that the Magna Carta of Children and the CRVS bill represent the Philippines’ commitment to fulfilling its constitutional and moral duties to protect the youth.

“With both measures gaining momentum, legislators have a unique opportunity to build a brighter, more inclusive future for all Filipino children,” the lawmaker said.

“On this day, let me express the 19th Congress’ firm commitment: We will do everything in our power to break the prevalence of violence, end the neglect, and create a safe and equitable Philippines for our children. Their future is our legacy,” he emphasized.