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Republic Act No. 10398· Enacted 2013-03-19

National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children — BatasKo ELI5

Every November 25, Filipino schools, offices, and barangays are required to hold anti-VAWC activities. Here's what that means for you.

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Official text — Republic Act No. 10398

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Preamble

Fifteenth Congress

Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two thousand twelve.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 10398

AN ACT DECLARING NOVEMBER TWENTY-FIVE OF EVERY YEAR AS "NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN"

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1

Section 1.

In recognition of the need to establish a comprehensive and structured campaign for national consciousness on anti-violence against women, November 25 of every year is hereby declared as the "National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children".

Section 2

Section 2.

The following activities shall be undertaken in observance of this occasion:

(a) Heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, government-owned and -controlled corporations, local government units and employers in the private sector shall, together with their employees, organize, engage or participate in activities designed to raise public awareness on the problem of violence, and the elimination of all forms of violence, against women and children.

(b) The Philippine Information Agency shall be mandated to allocate a minimum of one (1) hour airtime for programs exclusively raising public awareness on the problem of violence against women and children and the elimination of all forms of violence against women and children. Relative thereto, all television and radio networks nationwide are encouraged to allocate airtime for the said programs.

(c) Publishers of local newspapers and magazines are encouraged to highlight the problem of violence, and the elimination of all forms of violence, against women and children.

(d) The Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in coordination with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, women nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and other NGOs and people’s organizations advocating for women’s and children’s human rights, shall lead public and private school communities at all levels in organizing consciousness-raising activities on the problem of violence, and the elimination of all forms of violence, against women and children.

Section 3 — The National Statistics Office, the Philippine National Police, the Department→

Section 3.

The National Statistics Office, the Philippine National Police, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of Foreign Affairs and all Philippine embassies and consulates shall, in coordination with the PCW, undertake the data gathering and systematization of a database on all forms of violence against women and children, including Filipino women and children working and/or residing abroad. These agencies shall consolidate their findings and make a report to the public on the statistics and status of violence against women and children every November 25 of each year.

Section 4 — The PCW and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), constituted →

Section 4.

The PCW and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), constituted under Section 20 of Republic Act No. 9208 or the "Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003″ and the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and Their Children (IAC-VAWC), constituted under Section 39 of

Republic Act No. 9262

or the "Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004″, shall coordinate, monitor and evaluate the activities outlined in the annual eighteen (18)-day campaign at the national level.

At the regional level, the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking-Violence Against Women and Their Children (RIACAT-VAWC) shall likewise coordinate, monitor and evaluate said activities for the annual campaign at the provincial, city, municipal and barangay levels. They shall also make an annual report of their findings to be reported to the public every November 25.

The PCW, the IACAT and the IAC-VAWC shall likewise coordinate and tap the expertise of other government agencies and institutions like the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), as well as other private sector organizations in the implementation of activities for the eighteen (18)-day campaign.

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Section 5 — Funds for the implementation of the aforestated activities, programs and proje→

Section 5.

Funds for the implementation of the aforestated activities, programs and projects shall be taken out of the five percent (5%) Gender and Development budget allocated to all government agencies and local government units, as mandated by Section 36 of

Republic Act No. 9710

or "The Magna Carta of Women".

Section 6 — If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is held to be unconst→

Section 6.

If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is held to be unconstitutional or invalid, the validity of other sections herein shall not be affected thereby.

Show 1 more section +→
Section 7 — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in two →

Section 7.

This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

(Sgd.)

JUAN PONCE ENRILE

President of the Senate

(Sgd.)

FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.

Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2080 and House Bill No. 4434 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on December 17, 2012 and January 21, 2013, respectively.

(Sgd.)

EMMA LIRIO-REYES

Secretary of Senate

(Sgd.)

MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP

Secretary General

House of Representatives

Approved: MAR 19 2013

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

President of the Philippines

The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation

Full text on BatasKo. Original source: Official Gazette / Lawphil.

Alam mo ba?

Mayroon kang boss, teacher, o barangay captain na legally required mag-organize ng anti-violence activities sa trabaho o komunidad — at hindi ito basta kwento lang. Sa bawat ika-25 ng Nobyembre, ang bansa ay nagdadaos ng isang official day para palakasin ang awareness sa violence against women and children. Hindi lang ceremonial ito. May mandato sa batas.

The short version: Republic Act No. 10398 declares November 25 as the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children. Government agencies, schools, local government units, and private employers are all required to organize awareness activities on this day. Media networks are expected to broadcast VAWC-related programs. It's one day anchored inside an 18-day campaign that runs from November 25 to December 12 every year.

Real Filipino Scenario: The Foreman Who Didn't Know His Company Had an Obligation

Mark is a 38-year-old construction foreman based in Tagum, Davao del Norte. His crew of 25 workers — mostly male, a few female admin staff — shows up every day at 6 AM and leaves when the sun goes down. He's never heard of the 18-day VAWC campaign. One November, his company's HR head tells him they need to hold a short activity on the 25th: a brief talk, some posters, maybe a speaker from the LGU.

Mark thinks it's just another "seminar" his bosses are forcing on everyone.

But under Section 2(a) of RA 10398, employers in the private sector are required to organize, engage in, or participate in activities that raise awareness about violence against women and children — alongside their employees. This isn't optional for the company. Mark's construction firm has a legal obligation.

What Mark should do: Coordinate with HR to ensure the activity happens. Even a 30-minute awareness talk counts. If workers have questions about VAWC support resources, point them to their barangay's VAWC desk or the DSWD hotline (1343).

What the Law Actually Says

Republic Act No. 10398, signed on March 19, 2013, is a short but clear law. It has seven sections, and most of the weight is carried by Sections 1 through 5.

Section 1 declares November 25 of every year as the "National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children."

Section 2 lists who must act and what they must do:

  • Under Section 2(a), heads of government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), local government units (LGUs), and private sector employers must organize or participate in awareness activities with their employees.
  • Under Section 2(b), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) must allocate a minimum of one (1) hour of airtime for programs exclusively about VAWC. Television and radio networks are encouraged — though not strictly mandated — to do the same.
  • Under Section 2(c), local newspapers and magazines are encouraged to highlight the issue.
  • Under Section 2(d), DepEd, CHED, and TESDA — in coordination with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and DSWD — must lead schools at all levels in consciousness-raising activities.

Section 3 requires agencies like the PNP, DSWD, DOLE, and all Philippine embassies and consulates to gather and systematize data on all forms of VAWC — including cases involving Filipinos abroad — and report publicly every November 25.

Section 4 names the coordinating bodies: the PCW, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) under RA 9208, and the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and Their Children (IAC-VAWC) under RA 9262, the Anti-VAWC Act of 2004. These bodies oversee the 18-day campaign at the national level, while regional counterparts (RIACAT-VAWC) handle provincial down to barangay execution.

Section 5 identifies the funding source: the 5% Gender and Development (GAD) budget that all government agencies and LGUs are required to set aside under Section 36 of RA 9710, the Magna Carta of Women.

What This Means for You

In plain terms: this law turns November 25 into a mandated national action day — not just a symbolic date on a calendar.

If you work for a company, a school, or a government office, your employer or institution has a legal duty to do something that day. It doesn't have to be elaborate. A seminar, a poster campaign, a short forum, a brown bag discussion — lahat pwede, basta may ginagawa.

The bigger picture is the 18-day campaign that runs from November 25 to December 12. This aligns with the global "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" campaign observed internationally. The Philippine version extends it by two days and is coordinated through the PCW and partner agencies.

For ordinary Filipinos, ang pinaka-importante is knowing that resources exist. Every barangay is supposed to have a VAWC desk. Every city and municipality has a local council for women. On November 25, those desks and councils should be visible and active — not just on paper.

If you're a survivor, a concerned neighbor, or a community worker, this day is an opportunity to find out what services are available in your area. Hindi lang ito para sa gobyerno — para rin sa atin.

Real Filipino Scenario: The Barangay Health Worker Who Wants to Do More

Tomas is a 42-year-old barangay health worker in Taguig. He's not a government employee in the traditional sense — he's a volunteer — but he works closely with the barangay health center and knows most of the families in his area. Every year he notices that November 25 comes and goes with barely a ripple. Some barangay officials put up tarpaulins. That's it.

Tomas wants to organize an actual discussion — invite women in the community, talk openly about VAWC, and let people know they can report abuse at the barangay level. But he's not sure if he has the authority or the budget.

Under Section 2(a) of RA 10398, barangay officials — as heads of LGUs — are explicitly required to organize awareness activities. Under Section 5, funding must come from the barangay's 5% GAD budget under RA 9710.

What Tomas should do: Bring this up with the Barangay Captain and the Barangay Council. Point out that the 5% GAD budget exists specifically for this. Coordinate with the PCW regional office or the city's local council for women for support materials, resource speakers, or logistical help. The barangay's VAWC desk officer should be leading this — Tomas can be the organizer on the ground.

What Most Filipinos Get Wrong

"November 25 is just a commemorative day — walang epekto sa araw-araw."

Hindi totoo. It's a mandated action day with specific obligations for schools, employers, LGUs, and media. The law doesn't just declare a day — it assigns duties to specific institutions and identifies a funding stream to pay for them.

"Ang law na ito ay para lang sa mga babae."

The full title covers both women AND children. VAWC affects families across the board, at lalaki rin ang pwedeng maging biktima ng ilang forms ng abuse — lalo na pagdating sa violence against children.

"If my employer doesn't do anything, wala naman magreklamo."

It's true enforcement is uneven. But the obligation exists under the law, and the PCW and IAC-VAWC are tasked with monitoring and evaluating compliance. If you work in HR, in school administration, or in local government, knowing this law helps you push for actual implementation — hindi lang lip service.

"The 18-day campaign is a separate program with no legal basis."

The 18-day campaign is directly referenced in Sections 4 of RA 10398. It's not just a PCW initiative — it has statutory grounding.

"Only government offices have to do something on this day."

Section 2(a) explicitly includes "employers in the private sector." Your private company, your school, even your corporation is covered.

What to Do if Your Rights Are Violated / Ano ang Gagawin

While RA 10398 is primarily a public awareness and institutional mandate law — hindi siya directly a law that gives individual victims new rights — it is part of a larger VAWC legal ecosystem. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, here's what to do:

  1. Go to your barangay VAWC desk first. Every barangay is required to have one. Pwede kang mag-file ng Barangay Protection Order (BPO) doon — walang bayad, same-day.

  2. Call the DSWD Action Center at 1343. Available 24/7, libre ang tawag. They can refer you to the right agency or shelter.

  3. Report to the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) of the PNP. Every police station is required to have one. Specially trained officers handle VAWC cases.

  4. File a complaint under RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act) if the perpetrator is a partner, spouse, or someone you have a dating or sexual relationship with. This law provides for Protection Orders and criminal liability.

  5. Contact the PCW at pcw.gov.ph or through their official social media channels for referrals to legal aid, shelter, and government support programs.

  6. Document everything. Photos, messages, medical records, witness contacts — lahat mahalaga pag nag-file ng kaso.

  7. Seek legal aid. The Public Attorney's Office (PAO) provides free legal assistance to qualified individuals. You don't have to afford a private lawyer.

Related Laws

Mga Madalas Itanong / FAQ

Q: Kailangan ba talagang may aktibidad ang aking opisina o paaralan every November 25?

A: Oo, base sa Section 2 ng RA 10398. Government agencies, LGUs, GOCCs, at private sector employers ay lahat obligado na mag-organize o sumali sa awareness activities. Para sa mga paaralan, DepEd, CHED, at TESDA ang nag-aatas — meaning both public and private schools are expected to participate.

Q: Anong mangyayari kung hindi sumunod ang isang employer o LGU?

A: Ang RA 10398 ay nagtatakda ng obligations pero walang explicit penalty clause para sa non-compliance. Ang enforcement ay nasa coordinating bodies — PCW, IAC-VAWC, at RIACAT-VAWC — na nag-monitor at nag-ebalwasyon ng compliance at nag-uulat publicly. Sa praktika, ang civic pressure at institutional accountability ang pangunahing mekanismo.

Q: Sino ang nagko-coordinate ng 18-day campaign?

A: Sa national level, ang PCW, IACAT, at IAC-VAWC ang nagko-coordinate base sa Section 4. Sa regional at local level, ang RIACAT-VAWC ang responsable — hanggang sa barangay level.

Q: Saan nanggagaling ang pondo para sa mga aktibidad na ito?

A: Sa 5% Gender and Development (GAD) budget na required sa lahat ng government agencies at LGUs base sa Section 36 ng RA 9710 (Magna Carta of Women), ayon sa Section 5 ng RA 10398.

Q: Kailan ba nagsimula ang November 25 bilang international date para sa awareness on violence against women?

A: Ang November 25 ay internationally recognized bilang the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, established by the United Nations. Ang Pilipinas, sa pamamagitan ng RA 10398, ay ginawa itong isang national mandated day — at pinalawak ito sa isang 18-day campaign hanggang December 12, kasabay ng international "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence."

Sources

  • Republic Act No. 10398 — An Act Declaring November Twenty-Five of Every Year as "National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children", approved March 19, 2013. Lawphil Project — Arellano Law Foundation. (archived at)

  • Republic Act No. 9262 — Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines.

  • Republic Act No. 9710 — The Magna Carta of Women, Section 36 (Gender and Development Budget). Official Gazette.

  • Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) — 18-Day Campaign to End VAW. https://www.pcw.gov.ph

  • Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) — VAWC Services and 1343 Action Line. https://www.dswd.gov.ph

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Legal disclaimer: BatasKo provides general legal information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, consult a licensed Filipino lawyer or the Public Attorney's Office (PAO).

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