Article 8. Child's Welfare Paramount. - In all questions regarding the care, custody, education and
property of the child, his welfare shall be the paramount consideration.
Article 9. Levels of Growth. - The child shall be given adequate care, assistance and guidance through
his various levels of growth, from infancy to early and later childhood, to puberty and adolescence, and
when necessary even after he shall have attained age 21.
Article 10. Phases of Development. - The child shall enjoy special protection and shall be given
opportunities and facilities, by law and by other means, to ensure and enable his fullest development
physically, mentally, emotionally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in
conditions of freedom and dignity appropriate to the corresponding developmental stage.
Article 11. Promotion of Health. - The promotion of the Child's health shall begin with adequate prenatal and post-natal care both for him and his mother. All appropriate measures shall be taken to insure
his normal total development.
It shall be the responsibility of the health, welfare, and educational entities to assist the parents in
looking after the health of the child.
Article 12. Education. - The schools and other entities engaged in non-formal education shall assist
the parents in providing the best education for the child.
Article 13. Social and Emotional Growth. - Steps shall be taken to insure the child's healthy social and
emotional growth. These shall be undertaken by the home in collaboration with the schools and other
agencies engaged in the promotion of child welfare.
Article 14. Morality. - High moral principles should be instilled in the child, particularly in the home, the
school, and the church to which he belongs.
Article 15. Spiritual Values. - The promotion of the child's spiritual well-being according to the precepts
of his religion should, as much as possible, be encouraged by the State.
Article 16. Civic Conscience. - The civic conscience of the child shall not be overlooked. He shall be
brought up in an atmosphere of universal understanding, tolerance, friendship, and helpfulness and in
full consciousness of his responsibilities as a member of society.
TITLE II
CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE AND THE HOME
CHAPTER I
Parental Authority
SECTION A. In General
Article 17. Joint Parental Authority. - The father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable
parental authority and responsibility over their legitimate or adopted children. In case of disagreement,
the father's decision shall prevail unless there is a judicial order to the contrary.