Section 3Sec./Art. 3

Definition of Terms. For the purposes of this Act, the following shall refer to:

(a) Child refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age or those over but are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation Or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition as defined in Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act;

(b) Child with Special Needs refers to a child with a developmental or physical disability as defined in Republic Act No. 10165 or the Foster Care Act of 2012;

(c) Child-Friendly Spaces refer to spaces where communities create nurturing environments for children to engage in free and structured play, recreation, leisure and learning activities. The child-friendly space may provide health, nutrition, and psychosocial support, and other services or activities which will restore their normal functioning;

(d) Civil Registry Documents refer to all certificates, application forms, and certified true copies of legal instruments and court decrees concerning the acts and events affecting the civil status of persons which are presented before the Civil Registrar and are recorded in the Civil Registry;

(e) Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as defined in Republic Act No.10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, refer to non-state actors whose aims are neither to generate profits nor to seek governing power such as nongovernment organizations (NGOs), professional associations, foundations, independent research institutes, community-based organizations (CBOs), faith-based organizations, peoples organizations, social movements, and labor unions which are organized based on ethical, cultural, scientific, religious or philanthropic considerations;

(f) Disasters as defined in Republic Act No. 10121, refer to a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic, or environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources. Disasters are often described as a result of the combination of: the exposure to a hazard; the conditions of vulnerability that are present; and insufficient capacity or measures to reduce or cope with the potential negative consequences. Disaster impacts may include loss of life, injury, disease and other negative effects on human, physical, mental and social well-being, together with damage to property, destruction of assets, loss of services, social and economic disruption, and environmental degradation;

(g) Emergency refers to unforeseen or sudden occurrence, especially danger, demanding immediate action as defined in Republic Act No. 10121;

(h) Family Tracing and Reunification refers to the process where disaster response teams reunite families separated by natural and human catastrophes by bringing together the child and family or previous care-provider for the purpose of establishing or reestablishing long-term care;

(i) Hazard refers to a dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihood and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage as defined in Republic Act No. 10121;

(j) Orphans or Orphaned Children refer to children who do not have a family and relatives who can assume responsibility for their care;

(k) Separated Children refer to children separated from both parents, or from their previous legal or usual primary caregiver, but not necessarily from other relatives. As a result, this may include children accompanied by other family members;

(l) State of Calamity refers to a condition involving mass casualty and/or major damages to property, disruption of means of livelihoods, roads, and normal way of life of people in the affected areas as a result of occurrence of natural or human-induced hazard as defined in Republic Act No. 10121;

(m) Transitional Shelter refers to structures temporarily constructed by the government intended for families affected by a disaster while awaiting transfer to permanent shelters; and

(n) Unaccompanied Children refer to children who have been separated from both parents and other relatives, and who are not being cared for by an adult who, by law or custom, is responsible for doing so.