ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. managing director Gina Lopez is not only mom to Babu and Bapi, but also to Jessie, Trish, Analyn, Rida, Mac-mac and the other children rescued and given shelter by BB163It is the only one of its kind in the country—a helpline devoted to reports of cases of child abuse. Since it received its first call in February 1997, Bantay Bata 163 (BB163) has evolved into a dynamic network of child welfare services in the country’s major cities.

From conducting rescue missions to providing medical and legal assistance, scholarships, feeding programs, parenting seminars and caravans promoting child welfare and protection, BB163 has endeared itself to a generation that has become more aware of children’s rights and child abuse prevention.

The children of ‘Bantay Bata’

Many cases referred to BB163 involve medical conditions; with the help of volunteer doctors, pharmaceuticals, private individuals and corporations, close to 20,000 children received medication and/or surgery. Most of these children have since fully recovered and are now leading healthy lives as teens and young adults.

Victims of abuse usually keep mum about their plight, especially when the perpetrator involves a family member or a relative. Often, a neighbor seeks help for the abused child. The rescue marks the beginning of the long process a child and his family will undergo; they are given regular counseling and provided with free legal assistance.

Victims that cannot be reintegrated with their families until a decision on their case is made, or while the families undergo counseling, are housed in a children’s home where they are able to continue their studies and lead a normal life under the care of house parents.

The “Barya Mo, Buhay Ko” Adopt-a-Coin Bank campaign was launched to encourage children to help their less fortunate peers through small donationsIn the service of the Filipino child

A total of 325,248 real calls have been received since 1997 with 1,730 rescue missions conducted, 40,427 medical cases addressed and 1,671 legal cases handled. About 51,545 have benefited from BB163’s feeding program, while 3,355 became Bantay Edukasyon scholars.

BB163 also focuses on preventing child abuse through advocacy campaigns. It conducts forums, conferences and legal training nationwide. A total of 87,152 individuals have participated in these activities.

BB163 works with national and local government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police and the Department of Education. It has received financial donations from private companies, celebrities, students, religious groups, children and even overseas donors—a testament to the credibility and trust BB163 has earned through the years.

Its advisory board has continuously supported the program through fundraisers and projects. BB163 coin banks have also contributed to the funds used for the operations of the main and satellite offices in Bicol, Laguna, Pangasinan, Cebu, Iloilo, Negros, Davao, Socksargen, Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga.