Bantay Bata
{{Short description|Social welfare program in the Philippines}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox organization
|name = Bantay Bata 163
|image = ABS-CBN_Bantay_Bata_163_logo_2020.png
|image_border =
|size =
|caption = The official logo of the program.
|map =
|msize =
|mcaption =
|motto =
|formation = {{start date and age|1997|02|14}}
|founder = Gina Lopez
|extinction =
|type =
|headquarters = {{flagicon|Philippines}} Mother Ignacia (corner Scout Albano), 1103 Quezon City, Philippines
|location = n/a (various locations)
|membership =
|language =
|key_people = Mark Lopez (Chairman)
Ernie Lopez (Executive Director)
|num_staff =
|budget =
|website = {{URL|https://corporate.abs-cbn.com/lingkodkapamilya/bantay-bata/|bantay-bata.com}}
}}
Bantay Bata 163 ({{translation|Child Watch 163}}; {{IPA|tl|banˈtaɪ ˈbaːtaʔ|lang}}) is a social welfare program of ABS-CBN Foundation. Launched in 1997, it aims to protect disadvantaged and at-risk children through a nationwide network of social services. Among these services is the national emergency hotline, '163', which allows people to call in and report incidents of child abuse, exploitation and neglect.[http://www.humantrafficking.org/countries/philippines/best_practices HumanTrafficking.org | Philippines: Government Best Practices] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003526/http://www.humantrafficking.org/countries/philippines/best_practices |date=March 4, 2016 }}[http://library.thinkquest.org/25009/solutions/solutions.bantaybata.html The Beggar's Hand: Solutions: Bantay Bata 163] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328030251/http://library.thinkquest.org/25009/solutions/solutions.bantaybata.html |date=March 28, 2008 }}
Bantay Bata has offices in the major cities in the Philippines which allows it to respond immediately to the emergency calls. They are also able to offer online counseling for child-family relationships{{cite book|last=Adler|first= Leonore Loeb |author2=Florence Denmark|title=International Perspectives on Violence|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2004|chapter=Women and Children in the Philippines|isbn=0-275-97498-7|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Imvwy0DRb1IC&dq=%22bantay+bata%22&pg=PA219|access-date=April 30, 2008|page=219}} and assist victims of child sexual exploitation. The program also works with the national and local government agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).{{cite book|last=United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific|title=Good Practices in Combating Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Children ...|publisher=United Nations Publications|year=2001|isbn=92-1-120101-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iYw7DQz0XTcC&dq=%22bantay+bata%22&pg=PA67|access-date=April 30, 2008|page=67|display-authors=etal}}
From its establishment, Bantay Bata has become one of the most widely supported causes in the Philippines.[http://beaumonetcorp.blogspot.com/2007/04/invitation-to-join-2007-friends-of.html Everything Monet: An Invitation To Join the 2007 Friends of Bantay Bata Los Angeles Host Committee]
History
Bantay Bata 163 was established on February 14, 1997, as a hotline and rescue operation of the ABS-CBN Foundation.{{cite web|url=http://www.bantaybata163.com/index.php?pg=history&id=1 |title=History |access-date=August 18, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124193003/http://www.bantaybata163.com/index.php?pg=history&id=1 |archive-date=January 24, 2012 }} Though the ABS-CBN Regional it expanded its service in these following areas:
- Davao - August 2000
- Cebu and Iloilo - January 2005
- Bicol and Zamboanga - February 2006
- Negros - 2007
- Pangasinan - October 2008
- Laguna and General Santos - February 2012
Before the centralized hotline was launched in July 2005, regional hotline was different from city to city.
On August 31, 2020, some services of Bantay Bata 163 discontinued as part of the retrenchment by ABS-CBN Corporation, due to denial of ABS-CBN's legislative franchise by the House of Representatives on July 10, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/19/20/pilay-na-pilay-some-bantay-bata-163-services-to-be-discontinued|title='Pilay na pilay': Some Bantay Bata 163 services to be discontinued|website=ABS-CBN News|date=July 19, 2020|access-date=August 24, 2021}}
Projects
=Children’s Crisis Center=
Bantay Bata also operates and provides a temporary shelter to rescued children before their cases are resolved legally. Children are provided with therapy and educational opportunities before they are reunited with their families or referred to proper child caring agencies.[http://www.abscbnfoundation.org/programs/bantaybata/index.html Welcome to ABS CBN Foundation, Inc] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510121013/http://www.abscbnfoundation.org/programs/bantaybata/index.html |date=May 10, 2008 }}
=Children's Village=
Bantay Bata also established a Children’s Village to house and care for children who require further attention. Located in the outskirts of Metropolitan Manila, the Children's Village provides health and wellness care, nutrition, education and psychological development for these disadvantaged and at-risk kids.
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the groundbreaking ceremonies of the Bantay Bata 163 Children's Village March 29 in Norzagaray, Bulacan.[http://www.bantaybata163.com/archive.asp WELCOME TO CHILD WATCH: BANTAY BATA 163] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418061830/http://www.bantaybata163.com/archive.asp |date=April 18, 2008 }} The Village was officially opened on May 10, 2003, and inaugurated in November of the same year. Its construction was the collaboration of efforts by various companies and supporters who have generously donated their resources to build this paradise for the children.[http://www.philippinebusiness.com.ph/archives/magazine/vol11-2004/11-1/corpCit.htm PhilippineBusiness.com.ph: The Magazine] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510073233/http://www.philippinebusiness.com.ph/archives/magazine/vol11-2004/11-1/corpCit.htm |date=May 10, 2008 }}
=Child Trafficking=
Bantay Bata 163 is also actively involved in combatting and dealing with the problems of Child Trafficking in the Philippines. This includes: The act of trading or dealing with children, including but not limited to, the buying and selling children for money, or for any other consideration, or barter; and sexual exploitation wherein, children whether male or female, who for money, profit or any other consideration or due to the coercion or influence of any adult, syndicate or group, indulge in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct, are deemed to be children exploited in prostitution and other sexual abuse.[http://www.bantaybata163.com/articles_operational.htm WELCOME TO CHILD WATCH: BANTAY BATA 163] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417062046/http://www.bantaybata163.com/articles_operational.htm |date=April 17, 2008 }}[http://www.newsflash.org/2002/05/hl/hl015813.htm 'BANTAY BATA 163' TACKLES GROWING CHILD ABUSE PROBLEM]
= Services =
- Direct Child Protective Services
- Residential Services
- Community and Family Support Services
= Bantay Bata Regional Services =
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/bantaybata/home.asp Bantay Bata 163]
- ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation
- In North America http://www.abscbnfoundation.org
{{ABS-CBN Corporation}}
Category:Child-related organizations in the Philippines