ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo has thanked the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for supporting his bill that seeks to impose punishment on "deadbeat" fathers or those who are unable to provide paternal support to their children.

“Malaking tulong ang suporta ng CHR, knowing na nasa likod natin at ng mga single moms ang ahensyang ito," Tulfo, the House deputy majority leader for communications, said in statement Thursday, Jan. 30.

(The CHR's support is a big deal, knowing that this agency is behind us and single moms.)

Tulfo last year filed House Bill (HB) No.8987 or the “An Act Punishing the Willful Failure to Pay Paternal Child Support”.

HB No.8987 has already hurdled the Committee on Child Welfare. Its funding provision--or the amount of money needed for the full implementation of the law--is now being studied by the Committee and Appropriations.

The bill calls for the creation of an office with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that would support the provision on child support. 

A recent interview with CHR Commissioner Faydah Dumarpa showed that the agency was eagerly awaiting the enactment of the Tulfo bill.

“This will help a lot of single moms na makakakuha ng sustento sa kanilang ex para sa anak nila (This will help a lot of single moms aqcuire child support from their ex)," Dumarpa said.

Under the proposed statute, a father who refuses or is unable to provided support to his child even if he has the financial capability to do so may face imprisonment of up to six years. 

Dumarpa says neglecting to provide support to a child is a violation of a child's right and would fall under a “Violence Against Women and Children” or VAWC, since it is a former of economic deprivation.