community-based people's organizations representing the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in the barangay”95. Indigenous Peoples The Republic Act 8371 or the ‘Indigenous Peoples Rights Act’ (IPRA) of 1997: It is a State implementing tool that recognize, respect, and protect the right of Indigenous Peoples to manage their ancestral domains 96; preserve and develop their cultures, traditions and institutions 97; and to have a prior and informed consent in accordance with their respective customary laws and practices, and free from any external manipulation, interference and coercion, and obtained after fully disclosing the intent and scope of the activity, in a language and process understandable to the community98. PDRRMA of 2010: Ensuring that disaster risk reduction and climate change measures are gender responsive, sensitIve to indigenous knowledge systems, and respectful of human rights 99. Senior Citizens Republic Act No. 9994 or the ‘Expanded Senior Citizens Act’ of 2010: An ameded act of Republic Act No. 7432. The RA No. 9994 is an act maximize the contribution of Senior citzens to nation building, grant building, special priveleges, and for other purposes. In regards to disaster, the government – issued specifically by the DSWD – should provide social safety assistance “to cushion the effects of economic shocks, disasters, and calamities… [these] include, but not limited to, food, medicines, and financial assistance”100 Person with Disability (PWD) Republic Act No. 7277 or the ‘Magna Carta for Disabled Persons’: Is an act providing for the rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance of Disabled persons and their integration into the mainstream society and other purposes. One of its provision is to have an accessible, barrierfree environment for disabled persons 101. Batas Pambansa Blg. 344: An act to enhance the mobility of disabled persons requiring certain building institutions, establishments, and other utilities to install facilities and other devices 102. Republic Act 10070: Is an amended act of Republic Act No. 7277, Section 40. The act highlights the establishment of institutional mechanism to ensure the implementation of programs and services for PWDs in every provinces, city, and municipality 103. Children Republic Act 7610 or the ‘Special Protection of Children against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discriminatory Act’ of 1992: The State is obligated to build a comprehensive program shall be formulated to protect children against any form of abuse, which endanger the child survival and normal development. Presidential Decree 603 or the ‘Child and Youth Welfare Code’: A president declaration stating that the child is one of the most important assets of the nation, hence, every effort should be exerted to promote and protect his/her opportunities for a useful and happy life. It integrates the responsibilities of the family, the school, the church and the community to assist the home and the State in the endeavor to prepare the child for the responsibilities of adulthood. Gender Republic Act 9710 or the ‘Magna Carta of Women’ (MCW) and the Implementing rules and regulations (IRR): MCW is a State-based translation of CEDAW, which contains a detailed implementing rules and regulations. MCW is “a comprehensive women’s human rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimination through the recognition, protection, fulfillment, and promotion of the rights of Filipino women, especially those belonging in the marginalized sectors of the society”104. Some relevant features of the law and IRR includes: (MCW) Chapter IV., Section 9: ‘Protection from Violence.’ The State shall ensure that all women shall be protected from all forms of violence as provided for in existing laws. Agencies of government shall give priority to the defense and protection of women against gender-based offenses and help women attain justice and healing. (IRR) Rule IV, Section 12. ‘Protection from Violence.’ The State shall 95 96 97 98 Ibid, Section 12 (c)(25)(d) See: The Republic Act No. 8371 or Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, Chapter I, Section 2. Ibid. Chapter VI, Section 29 Ibid. Chapter II, Section 3 (g) 99 See: The Republic Act 101211 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, Section 2 (j) 100 See: The Republic Act No. 9994 or the ‘Expanded Senior Citizens Act’ of 2010, Section 5 (h)(3). 101 See: Republic Act No. 7277 or the ‘Magna Carta for Disabled Persons’ of 1991, Chapter VI, Section 25. 102 See: The National Council on Disability Affairs 103 See: The Amended National Council on Disability Affairs 104 See: The Philippine Commission on Women 12