Cayetano files bills supporting orphans

Aida Mae P. Magno

"Every member of the society should have the capacity to address the problems of PTK (Presyo,Ttrabaho, Kita). No one should be left behind.

Senator Alan Cayetano said as he trooped bills which aim to deliver additional sustenance to orphans.

The senator filed Senate Bill (SB) No. 91 known as ‘Welfare and Protection of the Orphaned Abandoned, Neglected and Voluntary Committed Children Bill, and SB No. 92 or the Orphan Trust Fund Bill to support the state’s capacity to supply to the needs of the often-neglected area of society.

"Though there are laws which provide care and assistance to children, we need to strengthen mechanisms in order to deliver assistance to those neglected children who become victims of poverty caused by problems of high prices, lack of jobs and insufficient income.” Said Cayetano who ran and won in the last election under a platform that focuses on addressing complications related to PTK.

SB No. 91 provides health insurance, hospitalization support and annual medical and dental check-ups for orphaned, abandoned, neglected and voluntary committed children.

Sen. Cayetano  cited a study conducted by the UNICEF indicating that there are 1.8 million orphans in the Philippines in 2011. Also according to the National Statistical Coordination Board, there are 2,327 ignored and 884 abandoned children in the country.

He emphasized the need to make equal opportunity for all children.