WHEREAS, the Constitution provides that the natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the support of the government;

WHEREAS, the State shall defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and discrimination, and other conditions prejudicial to their development;

WHEREAS, there is a need to consolidate in one body the assessment, monitoring and implementation of the aforecited policy on a continuing basis;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. There is hereby created a Special Committee for Children to be composed of:

A representative with a rank not lower than undersecretary from the following:

SECTION 2. The Committee shall exercise the following functions and duties:

a. To report to the President acts taken to address specific issues on child abuse and exploitation brought to the Committee ™s attention.

b. To direct other agencies to immediately respond to the problems brought to their attention and to report to the Committee on action taken.

c. To perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary to meet the objectives of the Committee.

SECTION 3. The Council for the Welfare of Children shall act as the Secretariat of the Committee.

SECTION 4. The initial amount of P10,000,000.00 is hereby authorized to be released from the Presidential Social Fund.

SECTION 5. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 14th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Five.

(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary