BANTAY BATA

What is Bantay Bata 163?

Bantay Bata (Child Watch) 163 is a program of the ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. that services the needs of abused, sick, neglected and abandoned Filipino children. It basically started as a helpline in 1997, receiving calls on abused children but has evolved to become a comprehensive child institution. It is worth mentioning that this is a pioneering effort in the whole of Asia.

Who are the children being helped by Bantay Bata?

Our 24-hour hotline 1-6-3 is being manned by licensed social workers who respond to calls on abused children. Once a report has been made on a certain case, the social workers coordinate with the Barangay to confirm abuse and, along with the police, conduct a rescue. Bantay Bata 163 is deputized by the government to take custody of the child in such cases. On requests for medical assistance, a number of government hospitals refer indigent child-patients to Bantay Bata. Contacts with the needy children are also made through home visits and community outreach.

What are its specific services?

Aside from the 24-hour hotline and rescue Bantay Bata also provides the following services:
•  Counseling and Therapy
•  Bantay Edukasyon Scholarship Program
•  Legal assistance
•  Medical assistance
•  Family Strengthening Services and community outreach
•  Media Advocacy featuring issues concerning children
•  Long-term shelter called The Children’s Village, where rescued children are nurtured and taken care of

Who among the beneficiaries of Bantay Bata needs help the most?

Donors can choose from any of the following projects of BB 163:
1.Bantay Edukasyon
2.Medical Assistance
3.Bantay Kalusugan
4.The Children’s Village

How can I help?

There are many ways to lend a hand. Here are some:

•  By donating directly to Bantay Bata bank account
•  By adopting the “Barya Mo, Buhay Ko” Coinbank Project
•  By making us a beneficiary of an event
    √  A dinner-dance party
    √  A talent contest
    √  A sports tournament
    √  A movie premier
    √  A school event
    √  In lieu of gifts during birthday or anniversary
•  By referring BB 163 to a friend
•  By donating medicines (vitamins, antibiotics)
•  By sponsoring the child medical needs or hi s education
•  By patronizing Bantay Bata merchandise

Please refer to our web site, www.bantaybata163.org, for more information.

How will I know if Bantay Bata received my donation?

√  For monetary donation, email or fax a clear copy of the deposit or remittance slip to BB 163 – Philippines as soon as the donation is deposited or remitted. Please indicate the name, address, email address, and contact numbers of the donor. BB 163 – Philippines will send a scanned copy of the official receipt through email and the original copy through postal mail.

√  All donors are welcome to visit the Children’s Village in Norzagaray, Bulacan to personally meet the kids they have helped. For security purposes, visits should be pre-scheduled with Bantay Bata Philippine office. Please call +632 415 6625 to schedule a visit.

How does Bantay Bata acknowledge its supporters?

In addition to the official receipt, BB 163 Manila acknowledges its donors in its BB 163 segment stories. Send us pictures, videos (CD or DVD) of your fundraising event, names of donors and we will show these in our TV segment.

When we visit the Philippines, can we go to the Children’s Village?

Yes. Please inform us of your proposed visit at least 2 weeks prior the proposed date. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

E-MEDIA

What is the E-Media Program?

As one of the main programs of the ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc., the Education through Multi-Media (E-Media) Program, in coordination with the Department of Education and other strategic partners, works for quality education through multimedia-assisted instruction or learning. Educational Television or ETV is its main vehicle for development intervention, although it also develops and produces educational radio programs (Bago 'Yan, Ah!).

What is Educational Television (ETV)?

Educational Television (ETV) of the E-Media Program refers to (a) the development and production of curriculum-based and/or demand-driven television shows with educational (i.e. delivery of correct and accurate information) and entertainment (ie. high target audience appeal and comprehension) values and worth, and to (b) the development intervention of the Foundation for quality education through the distribution and effective utilization of ETV materials in classroom learning.

Since 1994, the following ETV programs have been developed and produced: Sine'skwela (for Science), Hirayamanawari (for values education), MathTinik (for Mathematics), Epol/Apple (for English), Bayani (for Philippine History/heroism), Pahina (for Philippine Literature), Detek Kids (for critical thinking), and Art Jam (for arts and crafts).

Does ETV contribute to quality education? Is ETV really effective?

Most research studies, both local and international, confirm the added advantages and benefits of using audio-visual materials over written materials only in the learning of topics and subject matters. Research studies done by the Foundation, as well as external parties, and anecdotal evidence from the field attest to the benefits of the ETV programs of ABS-CBN Foundation in terms of (a) increasing interest in learning, (b) enhancing values formation, and (c) stimulating class participation.

What is the ETV Adopt-Your-Hometown School Project?

As part of the resource mobilization and donor-matching strategies of the E-Media Program, both individual and institutional/organizational (local and international) donors and sponsors are actively encouraged to provide funds for equipping ETV infrastructure (TV sets, video players, ETV video materials) school-recipients/participants of their choice. This project is also enrolled in the Adopt-a-School Program of the Department of Education for donors who wish to avail an income tax incentive based on their donations.

What is the S4S (Schools for Schools) Campaign?

S4S is a campaign that gives opportunities to university-based organizations to help public elementary schools by providing them with educational materials.  Any school organization with a forthcoming fundraising activity may register their event with S4S.  By registering, the organization is given the opportunity to choose from a roster of public elementary schools in Bicol, Samar, Leyte, and Biliran to help.  The chosen school will be the direct beneficiary of their school event (e.g. concert, sports event, tiangge, etc.).

S4S will help you drumbeat your event in the TV, radio, and its online community sites.  For more details, please visit www.s4scampaign.org and www.s4scampaign.multiply.com.