Manila, July 10 -- A bill seeking the establishment of halfway houses, or safe shelters, in every city and province for survivors of gender-based violence and other forms of abuse has been filed at the House of Representatives.

House Bill No. 10044, or the "Bahay Kanlungan Act of 2026," aims to ensure that survivors - regardless of gender, age, or sexual orientation - have immediate access to protection, temporary shelter, and support services to help them recover and rebuild their lives.

"A nationwide halfway house system would provide a more inclusive and rehabilitative mechanism to protect survivors of violence and those vulnerable to abuse," House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, t...