FINDING ANSWERS

Again, like in my last column, let me say that I’m really not into chest-thumping as a habit.

But this March, being National Women’s Month, I can’t help but be especially proud of the law I principally authored when I was senator to benefit working women. To appreciate better why so, allow me first to give some context.

Many Filipino women facing challenges in balancing work and family responsibilities are forced to choose between a career or caring for toddlers at home. In our society where the mother or even the “ate” are usually expected to prioritize family duties, pursuing employment or education can really be tough.

For beleaguered women, getting gainfully employed or completing formal education can be downright impossible if they cannot leave the house because of very young children needing to be cared for, day in and day out, or all throughout their waking hours.

For women trapped in such a difficult and stressful situation with no relief in sight, this year’s theme for National Women’s Month of “WE for gender equality and inclusive society” could be meaningless.

The “WE” in the theme, according to the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), “represents Women and Everyone, highlighting the collective responsibility for gender equality, not solely resting on women but involving everyone.”

The PCW adds: “WE also symbolizes Women’s Empowerment, a goal achievable when various entities, ranging from agencies and institutions to private partners and duty-bearers at national and local levels, ensure women equal rights and opportunities.”

The words, “equal rights and opportunities,” can be very empowering and fulfilling indeed, but it isn’t surprising if Filipino women saddled with burdensome childcare duties just could not relate to them.

To feel oppressed by a situation that deprives them of equal rights and opportunities, unlike men who are not burdened by childcare duties, can be very distressing for harried women.

Thus, getting some relief from onerous childcare tasks to be able to pursue employment or education can be simply exhilarating.
Such relief comes about from the law, RA 6972, which I authored during my first term as senator.

Enacted on Nov. 23, 1990, RA 6972 is known as the “Barangay-Level Total Development and Protection of Children Act” and is basically “An Act Establishing a Day Care Center in Every Barangay, Instituting Therein a Total Development and Protection of Children Program, Appropriating Funds Therefore, and for Other Purposes.”

This law has a lot of provisions pertaining to development and protection of Filipino children, including those abused, neglected or exploited. But to appreciate how it benefits working women, one has to read Section 3(c) of RA 6972.

The section provides: “Care for children of working mothers during the day and, where feasible, care for children up to six years of age when mothers are working at night: provided, that the day care center need not to take care of children in a particular place but shall develop network of homes where women may take care of the children up to six years of age of working mothers during work hours, with adequate supervision from the supervising social welfare officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development: provided, further, that, where young children are left to the care of paid domestic, an elderly relative or older children without adequate and competent adult supervision, the supervising social welfare officer shall provide such training and adult supervision until the children's care meets adequate standards whereby the children under their care will develop normally as healthy, happy and loved children, even in the absence of their mothers during working hours.”

To help ensure working mothers need not worry about their children in the care of others, Sec. 3 (d) of the law provides that the program includes: “Materials and network of surrogate mothers-teachers who will provide intellectual and mental stimulation to the children, as well as supervised wholesome recreation, with a balanced program of supervised play, mental stimulation activities, and group activities with peers.”
By easing the burden of childcare, the law enables Filipino women to pursue other fruitful endeavors, contributing greatly to their economic independence and empowerment.

Thus, among the 35 laws I authored, I’m really proud of RA 6972. Of course, many other landmark laws benefit Filipino women, including RA 7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 which I also helped craft during my time in the Philippine Senate.

But many attest it’s this law on barangay day care centers that can be truly empowering for women. Indeed, RA 6972 aligns perfectly with the theme of Women’s Month, “WE for gender equality and inclusive society.” ([email protected])