 The official logo of the program. | |
| Formation | February 14, 1997 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Gina Lopez |
| Headquarters |  Mother Ignacia (corner Scout Albano), 1103 Quezon City, Philippines |
| Location |
|
Key people | Mark Lopez (Chairman) Ernie Lopez (Executive Director) |
| Website | bantay-bata.com |
Bantay Bata 163 (transl. Babysitter 163; Tagalog: [banˈtaɪ ˈbaːtaʔ]) is a social welfare program of ABS-CBN Foundation. Launched in 1997, it aims to protect disadvantaged and at-risk children through a nationwide network of social services. Among these services is the national emergency hotline, '163', which allows people to call in and report incidents of child abuse, exploitation and neglect.[1][2]
Bantay Bata has offices in the major cities in the Philippines which allows it to respond immediately to the emergency calls. They are also able to offer online counseling for child-family relationships[3] and assist victims of child sexual exploitation. The program also works with the national and local government agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).[4]
From its establishment, Bantay Bata has become one of the most widely supported causes in the Philippines.[5]
- ^ HumanTrafficking.org | Philippines: Government Best Practices Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ The Beggar's Hand: Solutions: Bantay Bata 163 Archived March 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Adler, Leonore Loeb; Florence Denmark (2004). "Women and Children in the Philippines". International Perspectives on Violence. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 219. ISBN 0-275-97498-7. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
- ^ United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific; et al. (2001). Good Practices in Combating Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Children ... United Nations Publications. p. 67. ISBN 92-1-120101-2. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
- ^ Everything Monet: An Invitation To Join the 2007 Friends of Bantay Bata Los Angeles Host Committee