History

Bantay Bata 163 (BB 163) is the child protection program of the ABS CBN Foundation. It started in 1997 – on Valentines Day as our gift of love to the Filipino children. What began as a hotline and rescue operation has evolved into a truly holistic system which includes therapy, after care and preventive programs.

BB 163 has the following core services available through its nationwide branch network:

• Helpline 1-6-3

  (Telephone Hotline, Walk-in Services, SMS, email, website)
  
  

• Child Protective Services

  (Rescue Operation, Homevisitation, Legal Assistance)
  
  

• The Children's Village and BB Davao Children's Home

  Assistance Services ( Bantay Edukasyon and Medical Services)
  
  

• Counseling and Family Services

  
  

• Community Support Services

  (Community Outreach, Multi-sector Convention/ Educators/ Student's Forum and Bantay Kalusugan)
  

Bantay Bata also aims to respond to child abuse cases all over the Philippines. In August 2000, it established its provincial office in Davao. A centralized national call center was established in July 2005. Through the support of the ABS-CBN Regional Network Group, Cebu and Iloilo offices were launched in January 2005; Bicol and Zamboanga in February and March 2006; Negros in November 2007 and Pangasinan in October 2008; Laguna and Socsargen in February 2010.

BB 163 also shares its expertise with the world as an active member of Child Helpline International (CHI) and the International Social Service (ISS).