CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY
Lopez Jaena Street, Jaro, Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
Social Work Department
Name of Student: MIZPAH SARAH D. BAUTISTA
Student No. 21-3190-42
I. Policy Title/ Date of
Issuance
II. Background/ Rationale
Name of Professor: JOSIE G. CAMBEL
Subject: MSSW 626
POLICY ANALYSIS
: REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10821
AN ACT MANDATING THE PROVISION OF EMERGENCY RELIEF AND
PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER
DISASTERS AND OTHER EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN
COUNCIL BOARD RESOLUTION NO.2
Series of 2014
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE GUIDELINES IN THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF CHILD FRIENDLY SPACES (CFS) IN EMERGENCY
:
The Philippines is situated in the Asia Pacific, which is the most
disaster-prone region in the world, and considered to be the fourth
most vulnerable country to climate change (Global Climate Risk
Index, 2013).
It is a natural laboratory for floods, typhoons, monsoon rains,
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and armed conflict.
Emergencies overwhelm the capacity of people to defend and
protect themselves. This can sometimes weaken community
protection mechanisms and incapacitate the Government in
providing immediate interventions.
Child protection in emergency situations is crucial because disasters
can present new risks for children while aggravating existing risks
and threats. During emergencies in the Philippines, such as natural
disasters and conflict situations, children are often the most
vulnerable population. They may be separated from their families,
living in overcrowded and unsafe conditions, and at risk of physical
harm and emotional distress. In response to these challenges, child-
friendly spaces are established to provide a safe and nurturing
environment for children during emergencies.
Addressing child protection in emergencies (CPiE) is an essential
responsibility of the State, ensuring the safeguarding of children
against all forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation. One crucial
aspect of CPiE is the implementation of Child Friendly Spaces (CFS),
which serve to provide children with psychosocial support. This
intervention recognizes that children and their families affected by
emergencies have psychosocial needs. When children undergo
stressful situations, they commonly exhibit changes in their social
interactions, behavior, physical reactions, emotions, and spirituality.
It is important to note that reactions like sleep disturbances,
 nightmares, withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of
guilt are typical responses that can be gradually overcome with the
aid of psychosocial support.

Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) play a significant role in enhancing the

psychosocial well-being of children by nurturing and strengthening
their cognitive, emotional, and social development. They contribute
to reinforcing both the internal and external support systems of
children by offering opportunities for socialization, structured play,
educational activities, and other endeavors that restore a sense of
normalcy. By bringing together adults and children, CFS help
establish and mobilize protective community networks that
prioritize the unique needs of children in emergency situations,
thereby safeguarding them.

In addition to providing psychosocial support, CFS serve as platforms

for identifying vulnerable and at-risk children and facilitating their
immediate referral for necessary assistance. They serve as entry
points for identifying critical child protection risks within the
community and disseminating child protection messages to
communities, families, children, and authorities.

To ensure effective implementation of CFS during emergencies,

specific guidelines have been developed. These guidelines are
aligned with existing directives on Camp Management and Women
Friendly Space (WFS) provided by the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD). They are informed by global standards
such as the Guidelines for Child Friendly Spaces and the Minimum
Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action.

III. Objectives : General Objective:

To support the resilience and well-being of children through

community-organized, structured activities conducted in safe, child
friendly, and stimulating environment, and to serve as a venue for
identifying vulnerable and at-risk children, and facilitating their
referral for immediate response.

Specific Objectives:
• Provide opportunities for children to play.
• Mobilize communities around the protection and well-being of
children, including highly vulnerable children.
• Provide multi-sectoral support for all children in the realization of
their rights, including access to other services.
• Serve as a venue for identifying vulnerable and at-risk children,
and facilitating their referral for immediate response, and serve as
an entry point for helping to identify priority child protection risks in
the community and sharing child protection messages with
communities, families, children and authorities.

IV. Salient Features : Key Features

The key features of child-friendly spaces during emergencies in the
Philippines include:
1.Safety and Security: Child-friendly spaces must be designed to
 provide a safe and secure environment for children during
emergencies. This may include measures such as child-proofed
equipment, secure facilities, and a secure location.
2.Rapid Deployment: Child-friendly spaces must be established
quickly and efficiently during emergencies to provide immediate
support to children who are affected by the crisis.

3.Basic Needs Support: Child-friendly spaces must provide basic

needs support to children affected by emergencies, including food,
water, and hygiene facilities.

4.Age-Appropriate Activities: Child-friendly spaces must provide

age-appropriate activities that cater to the specific needs and
interests of children. This includes activities that promote physical,
cognitive, and social development.

5.Trained Staff: Child-friendly spaces must be staffed by trained

professionals who are knowledgeable about child development,
trauma, and emergency response. The staff should also be able to
identify and respond to the specific needs of each child.

6.Inclusivity: Child-friendly spaces must be designed to

accommodate the needs of children from diverse backgrounds,
including those with disabilities, and should promote inclusion and
diversity.

7.Coordination and Collaboration: Child-friendly spaces must be

established through a coordinated effort involving government
agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other relevant
stakeholders. Collaboration among these actors can help to ensure
that the child-friendly space is sustainable and meets the needs of
the local community.

V. Analysis (strength, : Strengths:

weaknesses)
1. Psychosocial Support: Child friendly spaces prioritize the
psychosocial well-being of children affected by emergencies.
By providing structured play, learning activities, and a safe
environment, they contribute to the emotional recovery and
overall well-being of children.

2. Protection and Safety: Child friendly spaces aim to create a

safe and protective environment for children. They help
ensure that children are shielded from potential harm,
including violence, abuse, and exploitation, commonly
experienced in emergencies.

3. Community Engagement: Child friendly spaces encourage

community participation and engagement. They provide an
opportunity for community members to come together,
share experiences, and mobilize support networks for the
well-being and protection of children.

4. Identification and Referral: Child friendly spaces serve as an

 avenue for identifying vulnerable and at-risk children in
emergencies. This allows for timely referral and access to
appropriate services and support, addressing the specific
needs of individual children.

Weaknesses:

1. Accessibility and Reach: One potential weakness is the

challenge of ensuring equal access to child friendly spaces,
particularly in remote or hard-to-reach areas. Limited
resources and infrastructure may hinder the establishment
and maintenance of child friendly spaces in all affected
locations.

2. Capacity and Resources: Adequate staffing and resources

are crucial for the effective implementation of child friendly
spaces. Insufficient funding, trained personnel, and
resources can limit the extent of services and support
provided to children in need.

3. Sustainability: Maintaining child friendly spaces in the long

term can be challenging. Sustainability may depend on
continued funding, government support, and the integration
of child protection services into existing emergency
response and recovery systems.

4. Coordination and Collaboration: Ensuring effective

coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders
can be complex. Engaging multiple agencies, organizations,
and community members requires strong coordination
mechanisms to avoid duplication of efforts and maximize
resources.

VI. Implication to Social : The implementation of child friendly spaces in emergencies in the
Welfare and Philippines has significant implications for social welfare and
development Practice development practices. Here are some implications:

1. Child-Centered Approach: Child friendly spaces emphasize

the rights and needs of children affected by emergencies.
This approach highlights the importance of putting children
at the center of social welfare and development practice,
ensuring their well-being, protection, and participation.

2. Holistic Support: Child friendly spaces promote a holistic

approach to social welfare and development. They
recognize the interconnectedness of children's psychosocial,
emotional, educational, and physical needs. Social welfare
practitioners need to address these multidimensional needs
through coordinated and integrated interventions.

3. Collaboration and Partnerships: Implementing child friendly

spaces requires collaboration and partnerships among
government agencies, non-governmental organizations,
community leaders, and other stakeholders. Social welfare
 practitioners play a vital role in fostering these
collaborations, facilitating coordination, and leveraging
resources to ensure the effective implementation of child
friendly spaces.

4. Capacity Building: Social welfare and development

practitioners need to build their capacity in providing
psychosocial support, child protection, and community
engagement. They should receive training on child-friendly
methodologies, trauma-informed care, and best practices in
emergency response to effectively support children in child
friendly spaces.

5. Advocacy and Policy Development: Practitioners working in

child friendly spaces can contribute to advocacy efforts and
policy development. They can use their experiences and
insights to advocate for child-centered policies, increase
funding for child protection in emergencies, and influence
decision-making processes at local, national, and
international levels.

6. Monitoring and Evaluation: Social welfare practitioners play

a critical role in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness
of child friendly spaces. They need to develop appropriate
indicators, data collection tools, and evaluation frameworks
to assess the impact of these interventions and ensure
continuous improvement.