This article is practical, plain-language guidance for caregivers seeking support for a child in the Philippines. It covers out-of-court demands, barangay processes, court actions, and how subpoenas work when people live in different barangays. It is general information—not legal advice.

1) What “child support” means under Philippine law

Who must support whom. Parents are legally obliged to support their children—whether the child is legitimate or illegitimate. In certain cases, other relatives (ascendants/descendants, full/half-siblings) have subsidiary obligations, but the primary duty is on the parents.

What support covers. “Support” is not just cash. It includes sustenance, dwelling, clothing, medical care, education and transportation—scaled to the child’s needs and the parents’ means. The amount can be in cash or in kind (e.g., paying school directly) and can be adjusted up or down if circumstances change.

When it starts and how it accrues. Support is generally demandable from the date of demand (extrajudicial or judicial). Courts may grant provisional support while a main case is pending, and arrears can be collected through execution.

2) Choosing your pathway

There are four common avenues to obtain support:

Private (extrajudicial) demand → demand letter → negotiate → written agreement (preferably notarized).
Barangay conciliation (Katarungang Pambarangay) → for parties living in the same city/municipality (even if different barangays), unless an exception applies.
Protection orders under VAWC (R.A. 9262) → if there is violence or threats against the caregiver or child; may secure immediate support as a condition.
Court petition for support in the Family Court → when barangay conciliation is not available, failed, or urgent relief is needed.

Tip: If you urgently need money for the child (tuition is due, medical needs, etc.), go straight to Family Court and request provisional support. Barangay mediation can take time and does not issue enforceable subpoenas.

3) Extrajudicial demand: how to start strong

A. Prepare

Child’s proof of filiation (birth certificate; acknowledgment/recognition if applicable).
Proof of needs (school assessment, receipts, medical records).
Proof of payor’s means (publicly available info; if unknown, you’ll request it later via subpoena in a court case).
A proposed support budget itemizing monthly needs.

B. Send a formal demand letter

Include:

Parties’ names, addresses, and relationship to the child.
Legal basis for support and the child’s needs.
Proposed amount and payment schedule (with bank/e-wallet details).
Deadline (e.g., 10 calendar days from receipt) and notice that you will escalate if ignored.

Service: Deliver by personal service and registered mail (keep the registry receipt and return card), and by any messaging channel you can later authenticate (email, messenger).

C. Negotiate & memorialize

If payor agrees, put it in a written settlement:

Amount, due date, mode (bank transfer, payroll deduction).
Whether it covers tuition, uniforms, books, medicine, insurance.
Update mechanism (e.g., 5% annual increase or upon salary change).
Default remedies (late fees, right to execute or elevate to court).

Best practice: Convert private settlements into a court-approved compromise or include a confession of judgment clause to ease enforcement.

4) Barangay conciliation (Katarungang Pambarangay)

A. When it applies

Both parties reside in the same city/municipality (they may be in different barangays).
Not covered by exceptions (e.g., cases where one party is a government officer performing official duties; offenses with penalties beyond KP limits; cases seeking urgent relief like protection orders, etc.).

B. Where to file

File with the Punong Barangay of the respondent’s barangay. If parties are in different barangays but still within the same city/municipality, the case stays proper; the Lupon will issue barangay summons (note: not subpoenas) to call the parties to mediation.

C. Flow

Mediation before the Punong Barangay.
If unsettled, conciliation before the Pangkat ng Tagapagkasundo.
If still failed, the barangay issues a Certification to File Action (CFA).
Amicable settlement (if any) becomes final after 10 days unless repudiated; it has the effect of a final judgment and may be enforced.

D. Limits of the barangay process

Barangays do not issue subpoenas for witnesses or documents.
They cannot compel third parties (e.g., an employer) to disclose salaries.
If you need compulsory process or urgent/interim support, proceed to Family Court.

5) Court action for support (Family Court)

A. Where and what to file

Family Courts (Regional Trial Courts designated as such) have original jurisdiction over petitions for support, recognition, custody, etc.
File a Verified Petition for Support (or Support Pendente Lite if you already have a main action like recognition, custody, nullity, or legal separation).

Attachments & allegations:

Child’s birth certificate and proof of filiation/acknowledgment.
Detailed needs/budget; proof of expenses; proposed computation.
What you know about the respondent’s income/assets.
If barangay conciliation applied but failed, attach the CFA. If KP doesn’t apply (different cities/municipalities, or an exception), say so clearly.

B. Provisional support (pendente lite)

Ask for interim support via motion with affidavits and receipts. Courts can issue provisional orders early, subject to later adjustment. This is key for tuition deadlines and medical needs.

C. Enforcement

Once you have an order:

Writ of execution for arrears.
Garnishment of bank accounts or employer wage deduction through the sheriff (serve employer a garnishment notice).
Contempt for willful non-compliance.

6) Subpoenas in support cases—what they are and how to use them

A. Two types

Subpoena ad testificandum – orders a person to appear and testify.
Subpoena duces tecum – orders a person or custodian to bring specific documents (e.g., payroll, SSS records, employment contract, bank statements).

B. Who issues subpoenas

The court where your case is pending (signed by the judge or authorized clerk).
Prosecutors and some quasi-judicial bodies can also issue subpoenas in matters before them, but barangays cannot.

C. What you can request

Common, targeted requests:

Employer payroll records (basic pay, allowances, commissions, bonuses, 13th-month, deductions).
SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG contribution history to infer income.
Bank records (account statements—courts balance privacy with relevance).
Tax filings (BIR 2316/1701/1700, withholding reports).
School/medical bills to support the child’s needs side of the equation.

Draft precisely. Describe documents by type, date range, and purpose. Overbroad, fishing requests risk being quashed as “unreasonable or oppressive.”

D. How service works across barangays

Subpoenas are served personally by a sheriff/process server or other authorized person by giving the witness a copy (or tendering it at the proper office for records custodians).
Cross-barangay service is routine. The witness’s barangay is not a barrier; service may be effected anywhere within the Philippines.
If service will be outside the court’s usual station (e.g., different city/province), the court can coordinate service through its process servers or, upon motion, authorize alternate modes consistent with the Rules and due process (e.g., through a local sheriff, or with receipts if via registered mail for document custodians when allowed).

Attendance & distance. Courts consider reasonableness—particularly for distant witnesses and custodians. If the witness is a records custodian, courts often allow certified copies in lieu of personal attendance.

Fees & witness mileage. Tender witness fees/mileage when required; non-tender is a common reason for non-appearance.

Non-compliance. Unjustified failure to obey a subpoena may lead to indirect contempt (fines and/or arrest order), unless excused (e.g., improper service, privilege, lack of custody, overbreadth).

7) Special tracks that can include support

A. VAWC protection orders (R.A. 9262)

If there is violence or threat, you may petition for Barangay, Temporary, or Permanent Protection Orders. Courts commonly include support as an interim condition. BPOs are immediately executory; violations carry penalties.

B. Recognition/filiation

If paternity is disputed, you may file for compulsory recognition. Evidence may include the birth certificate, written admission, open and continuous possession of status, or other means (including DNA testing if ordered).

8) Practical playbooks

Playbook A: Same city, different barangays

Send a demand letter.
File for barangay conciliation at the respondent’s barangay.
If settlement fails → get the CFA.
File a Family Court petition for support + provisional support.
Move for subpoenas to employer/SSS/BIR for income proof.
Execute for arrears as needed.

Playbook B: Different cities/municipalities

Skip KP (not required).
File directly in Family Court (choose venue properly).
Seek provisional support and issue subpoenas.
Enforce with garnishment and contempt if needed.

Playbook C: Urgent needs or abuse

File for Protection Order (and/or criminal complaint if applicable) with support as an interim measure; proceed in parallel or followed by the main support petition.

9) Computing a reasonable support amount

Support is based on the child’s actual needs and the payor’s capacity. A practical method:

Itemize monthly needs: food, rent share, utilities share, school tuition amortized monthly, books/supplies, transportation, data load, health insurance, medicines, extracurriculars, contingencies.
Allocate a fair caregiver share (if the child lives with you) and assign the rest to the payor.
Consider 13th-month, allowances, commissions, and bonuses; many courts compute support as a percentage of take-home or a fixed amount plus a percentage of bonuses.
Build in automatic adjustments (e.g., upon tuition increase, or when payor’s income materially changes).

10) Templates

A. Demand letter (skeleton)

Re: Demand for Child Support for [Child’s Name], [Age] [Date]

[Parent’s Name & Address]

Dear [Name], As [child]’s [mother/father], I am demanding child support pursuant to Philippine law. [Child]’s current monthly needs total ₱[amount], detailed in the attached budget. Considering your income and resources as [position/employer], I propose a monthly support of ₱[amount], due every [date], payable via [bank/e-wallet]. Please confirm in writing within 10 calendar days. If we cannot settle, I will be constrained to initiate barangay/court proceedings and seek provisional support, subpoenas for your income records, and enforcement remedies.

Sincerely, [Your Name, contact details] Attachments: Birth certificate; budget; receipts

B. Subpoena duces tecum (request wording for motion)

“Payroll and compensation records (basic pay, allowances, commissions, overtime, 13th-month, bonuses, deductions) of [Respondent’s Name], employee no. [xxx], from Jan 2023–present, including payslips, payroll summaries, and employment contract amendments; for the purpose of establishing capacity to provide child support.”

11) Evidence checklist

Birth certificate (and acknowledgment documents, if any)
Receipts/quotations for school, medical, transport, food, rent share, utilities
Proof of respondent’s employment/business (ID, company profile, public posts)
SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG contribution printouts (if available)
Prior payments/transfers (bank screenshots, GCash history)
Copy of demand letter and proof of service
If through barangay: complaint, minutes, settlement (or CFA)

12) Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

Overbroad subpoenas → be specific in type and date range.
Skipping KP when required → if same city/municipality, go through barangay or justify a KP exception.
No proof of service for your demand or barangay summons → keep registry receipts/return cards.
Under-documented needs → courts fund what you can prove. Keep receipts.
No tender of witness fees → can invalidate subpoena service on witnesses.
Relying only on verbal settlements → reduce to writing; better, get court approval.

13) FAQs

Q: Can I demand a fixed percentage of salary? There’s no single mandatory formula, but many settlements peg support to a fixed base plus a percentage of bonuses/commissions to track income variability.

Q: If the payor moves to another barangay, is my subpoena useless? No. Subpoenas are national in reach when issued by a court with jurisdiction over the case, subject to reasonableness and proper service.

Q: Can the barangay force an employer to disclose income? No. Barangays issue summons, not subpoenas. To compel employers or agencies, you need a court-issued subpoena.

Q: What if paternity is denied? File for recognition/filiation (often alongside support). The court can receive documentary and testimonial proof and may consider DNA testing if appropriate.

Q: What if the payor pays irregularly? Ask the court for a standing wage deduction order via garnishment and for contempt on willful defaults.

14) Quick action plan (one-page)

Document needs & filiation → draft budget.
Send demand (keep proof).
If same city/municipality → file barangay case at respondent’s barangay; get settlement or CFA.
File in Family Court → ask for provisional support.
Move for subpoenas (employer/SSS/BIR/schools; narrowly tailored).
Enforce (garnish; contempt) and adjust as circumstances change.

Final note

Laws and procedural rules evolve, and local courts may have standing orders or e-process practices that affect service and hearings. For urgent or complex situations (e.g., disputed paternity, cross-province witnesses, safety concerns), consider consulting a lawyer or the Public Attorney’s Office for case-specific strategy.