Authorizing The Ministry Of Social Services And Development To Take Protective Custody Of Child Prostitutes And Sexually Exploited Children, And For Other Purposes

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 56 November 6, 1986

AUTHORIZING THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND DEVELOPMENT TO TAKE PROTECTIVE CUSTODY OF CHILD PROSTITUTES AND SEXUALLY EXPLOITED CHILDREN, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, for those who fall prey to prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation due to their fragile age, immediate protection must be accorded by the government to arrest their moral decline and lead them back to the path of morality;

WHEREAS, in pursuance of its responsibility over the welfare of the youth, the Ministry of Social Services and Development must be given more powers to implement effectively the government's commitment against child prostitution and exploitation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, do hereby by order:

Sec. 1. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any minor who is apprehended or taken into custody by any peace officer of by the duly authorized officers of the Ministry of Social Services and Development for engaging in prostitution or other illicit conduct punished under existing laws...

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Executive Order No. 56

Authorizing the Ministry of Social Services and Development to Take Protective Custody of Child Prostitutes and Sexually Exploited Children

• Purpose: To protect minors engaged in prostitution or sexual exploitation and facilitate their rehabilitation. (Preamble)

• Protective Custody of Minors:
- Any minor apprehended for prostitution or illicit conduct shall be immediately delivered to the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) for protective custody. (Section 1)
- MSSD is responsible for the minor's appearance in court or administrative proceedings. (Section 1)
- Minor is defined as any person below 16 years of age. (Section 1)

• Rehabilitation Programs:
- MSSD shall provide suitable programs for the full rehabilitation of minors under its custody. (Section 2)
- Programs shall include moral values education, psychological/psychiatric treatment, education on physical ailments/diseases and unwanted pregnancy, and work-skills training. (Section 2)

• Custody of Other Persons:
- Custody of persons other than the apprehended minor shall follow ordinary criminal procedure. (Section 3)

• Closure of Establishments:
- MSSD shall notify mayors of establishments used for prostitution of minors and petition for forfeiture of business licenses and closure. (Section 4)

• Funding:
- ₱3,000,000.00 is appropriated from the National Treasury to defray expenses for implementation. (Section 5)
- Subsequent funding shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. (Section 5)

• Interagency Cooperation:
- MSSD is authorized to call upon any government ministry, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality for assistance in implementation. (Section 6)

• Rules and Regulations:
- MSSD, in coordination with the Ministry of Justice, shall promulgate necessary rules and regulations for implementation. (Section 7)

• Repealing Clause:
- All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Executive Order are repealed or modified accordingly. (Section 8)

• Effectivity:
- This Executive Order shall take effect immediately. (Section 9)