A lawmaking tandem has filed a bill seeking to establish child advocacy centers (CACs) in all local government units (LGUs) nationwide.

Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos and Abra lone district Rep. JB Bernos filed House Bill No. 7468, or the “Child Advocacy Centers Bill,” which aims to create centers in every city and municipality. The proposed measure seeks to provide dedicated, child-friendly facilities where investigation, medical examination, psychosocial intervention, legal coordination, and case management can be conducted through a unified and trauma-informed process.

The explanatory note of the proposed bill stated: “By bringing together social workers, law enforcement, medical professionals, prosecutors, and child protection specialists, the proposed system minimizes re-victimization while strengthening accountability and case resolution.”

Under the bill, CACs would serve as the primary venue for the reporting, assessment, interview, medical examination, psychosocial intervention, referral, and case coordination involving child abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases.

The centers would handle, among others, cases of physical abuse; sexual abuse and exploitation; psychological or emotional abuse; neglect and abandonment; online sexual abuse and exploitation of children; and other acts punishable under child protection laws.

A multidisciplinary team would be formed, composed of representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development; Philippine National Police–Women and Children Protection Desks; Department of Health or government hospitals; Department of Justice or the Office of the Prosecutor; local government social welfare offices; and other agencies deemed necessary.

Rep. Ching Bernos said the CACs are a response to the fragmented handling of child abuse and neglect cases in the country.

“We have various laws to protect children; however, the means to apply these are fragmented. Child victims are often subjected to a repeat of their trauma because they have to recount their experiences multiple times to different authorities — barangay officials, police, social workers, medical personnel, and prosecutors, among others,” she said.

Rep. JB Bernos, meanwhile, said inconsistencies in coordination among concerned agencies, as well as the lack of proper child-friendly facilities, compound the problem.

“Maaaring magsilbing hadlang ang mga isyu na ito sa pag-report ng mga kaso. Hindi dapat maging dagdag na pabigat ang pagsumbong sa awtoridad para makamit ng mga batang biktima ng pang-aabuso ang tulong at hustisya,” he said.