CRC UNITED NATIONS Convention on the Rights of the Child Distr. GENERAL CRC/C/15/Add.259 21 September 2005 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD Thirty-ninth session CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE CONVENTION Concluding observations: Philippines 1. The Committee considered the second periodic report of Philippines (CRC/C/65/Add.31) at its 1028th and 1029th meetings (see CRC/C/SR.1028 and 1029) held on 18 May 2005, and adopted at the 1052nd meeting, held on 3 June 2005, the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the second periodic report, which followed the established reporting guidelines, submitted by the State party, as well as the written replies to its list of issues. The Committee is encouraged by the constructive dialogue it had with the State party and acknowledges that the presence of an inter-ministerial delegation involved in the implementation of the Convention allowed for a fuller assessment of the situation of the rights of children in the State party. B. Follow-up measures undertaken and progress achieved by the State party 3. The Committee takes note of the adoption during recent years of several laws aimed at protecting and promoting the rights of children, inter alia: (a) The adoption, in 2003, of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (Republic Act 9208), which institutes policies to eliminate trafficking in persons, in particular women and children, establishes institutional mechanisms for the protection and support of trafficked persons, provides penalties for traffickers and also prohibits the recruitment, transport or adoption of children for engagement in armed activities in the Philippines or abroad; GE.05-44053 (E) 141005