CEDAW/C/PHL/Q/7-8/Add.1 Measures taken to ensure the equal participation of women, in particular rural women, at the decision-making level of climate change and natural disaster management. 20.4 Section 13 of the MCW mandates LGUs to develop and implement a gender responsive and rights-based work and financial plan that include the “active involvement of women in the various camp committees organized for food and water distribution, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, health, education, protection and security and safety especially in the decision -making processes.” 20.5 The National Disaster Response Plan provides for balanced representation of women and men in evacuation centre/camp management committees. O. Marriage and Family Relations 21. Status of the bill legalizing divorce 21.1 HB 4408, seeking to legalize divorce, is pending in the 16th Congress. However, divorce has long been legal and available for Muslims under the CMPL. Whether both parties are accorded the same rights and responsibilities upon the dissolution of marriage and how the rights of children are protected 21.2 Spouses’ rights and responsibilities • The absolute community or conjugal partnership of gains and t he assets are equally divided between the spouses. • The spouse not gainfully employed is entitled to support for one year or until he/she finds adequate employment, whichever is shorter. • A Filipino citizen married to a foreigner may now remarry under the Philippine law regardless of who obtained the divorce in another country, provided that it is found by the Philippine court to be based on any similar ground under Article 55 of the Code. 21.3 Children’s rights • Custody of minors is decided in accordance with the child’s best interest. • Children are entitled to support and to their presumptive legitime in the partition of assets. • Children conceived or born before the divorce has become final and executory are considered legitimate. Updates on steps taken to repeal provisions that discriminate on the basis of religion regarding the minimum age of marriage for girls, as well as prohibit polygamous marriages. 21.4 The Islamic leaders endorsed a Fatwa on the Model Family in Islam in November. 21.5 The Fatwah covers 4 areas: • early and forced marriage 32/33 16-06662