Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the

Rights of the Child on the Combined 3rd and 4th

Report of the Philippines

That the State party expeditiously adopt: •the Anti-Corporal Punishment Bill •the Anti-Torture Bill •the Anti-Child Pornography Bill •the Foster Care Bill No. 263•the Age of Statutory Rape Bill

The Committee also recommends that the State party enact legislation to address the status of children born out of wedlock.

That the State party prioritize and increase budgetary allocations for children at national and local levels.

That the State party take all necessary measures to prevent extrajudicial killings of children and to thoroughly investigate all alleged cases of killings and bring the perpetrators to justice.

That the State party take all necessary measures to lower infant, under-five and maternal mortality rates.

That the State party take concrete action to reduce the drop-out rates in primary and secondary school, address the reasons behind non-completion of schooling, including cultural traditions and poverty, and increase transition to secondary schools.

That the State party effectively implement the existing legislation prohibiting and criminalizing the recruitment and involvement of children in hostilities and strengthen measures aimed at the demobilization, physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of the victims, including measures to address the situation of displacement of children and to ensure their access to social and health services, education and to development.

That the State Party ensure that the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act is fully implemented, that detention is used only as a last resort and that the age of criminal responsibility is not lowered.