thal and for the Universal Declaration of Human conflict That is the link between CRC and lHL. and protection of children and interaction between IHL and CRC should be mutually supportive rather than exclusive and should always be for the best interest and protection of the child. ln terms of coverage IHL covers adults, whereas Next are the governmenfs efforts regarding protecting CRC covers only those below 18 years old. ln terms children in situations of armed conflict There are several legislative actions which the Philippine government has already taken. What really stands out is RA 7610, the law which provides especial protection of children against abuse, exploitation and discrimination, with provisions for children in situations of armed conflict The more speciflc action here is related to Executive Order 56, in 2001, which is the adoption of a comprehensive program framework for children involved in armed conflict CRC, Rights and the Optional Protocols that add support to the IHI- particularly the rights of children in armed of guiding principles, while you have the principle of distinction between civilians and combatants in lHl- for the CRC ihe principle is the best interest of the child, without discrimination, all children from different tribes, backgrounds and groups. lt also proposes or subscribes to the principles of survival, development, protection and participation of the child. ln terms of purpose, IHL is for alleviation of human suffering due to armed conflicf protects persons who are no longer involved in armed conflict and restricts the means and methods of warfare. CRC sets the minimum standards to ensure fulfillment and protection of every right of the child. There are 44 Articles in the CRC, and one of thal Article 38 is related to CRCs compliance with IHL provisions. IHL also provides that children are entitled to full protection under the rules of IHL and CRC offers protection of children in both peace and war times. This is where they also diff,er. Children are viewed as holders of human righis with corresponding obligations on states as duty bearers. I'd like to mention that IHL sets the age limit of the child at 15 yrs, whereas CRC under the optional protocol on children involved in armed conflict has raised the level of children under protection. The age limit is 18 years old, meaning, that below 18 there should be no recruitment of children to armed groups including the AFP and also the rehabilitation and integration of ex-soldiers and technical cooperation. Another broader efioft of the government is the National Plan of Action for Children. Right now the second part of the NPAC covers 5 years, from 2011 until 2016, and it has a long list of programs, policies which support these various programs. This National Plan is rights-based. lt was designed that way and it supports the achievement of the millennium development goals. But in addition to that is a program for children or a goal and policies for children who are in armed conflict situations. The other unique part is a comprehensive framework for monitoring and evaluation so that we will know if our efforts from the beginning of the plan are really translated into outcomes for children. Another effort that I would like to mention is the establishment of many laws in local counclls for the protection of children. This is very critical because it shows that even at the lowest political unit of our country, we have an institution which protects the rights of the child. lt is the Barangay Council for the protection of children. AII the people advocating child rights should be involved in activating and really In lHLyou have the children's beneflts from protection and provision on particular emergency situationsrules on evacuation, family reuniflcation and for CRC ittakes a long term perspective on child development because it is for the total suwival and development of the child, not only in situations of armed conflicl To summarize, both IHL and CRC apply in times of conflicl The rules providing both for the best interest making these local councils functional, because they are the first line of defense in the local level. lfs been there for almost 63 years, but until now we're still talking about making it functional. And this is what we are really focusing on now, how to make these councils functional because they will take care of the rights of children in armed conflict situations. lt is not the people in Manila but in the villages. Itaguyod ang IHL: Sibilyan Pangalagaan