This article explains—step by step—how to pursue child support in the Philippines through the Barangay Justice System, Prosecutor’s Office (when economic abuse or child abuse is involved), and the Family Court. It also covers who is entitled to support, how much may be granted, evidence, enforcement, jurisdiction, and practical tips. It is legal information for general guidance only.

1) What “child support” means under Philippine law

Who owes support. Parents are primarily obliged to support their children—legitimate or illegitimate. In default or insufficiency, the duty can extend up and down the lineal family (ascendants/descendants) and, in some cases, siblings.
What support covers. Sustenance, dwelling, clothing, medical and dental care, education (including training for a profession), and transportation—in keeping with the family’s financial capacity and the child’s needs.
When it is due. Support is due from the time of need but is payable only from the date of judicial or extra-judicial demand (e.g., a written demand, barangay complaint, or court filing). Future support can increase or decrease if resources or needs change.
No waiver/offset. Future support generally cannot be waived, sold, attached, or set-off. Arrears that have already accrued may be the subject of compromise and execution.

2) Choosing your route

You can pursue one route or several in parallel, depending on safety and urgency:

Barangay route (conciliation/settlement): Best for neighbors or residents in the same city/municipality when safety is not an issue and you want a fast, low-cost settlement that can be enforced.
Prosecutor route (criminal) for economic abuse under the Anti-VAWC law or child abuse/neglect under special laws, often paired with Protection Orders that can include support.
Family Court route (civil) for a Petition for Support, where the court can issue provisional support quickly and a final judgment after hearing.

If there is any risk of violence, skip barangay conciliation and go straight to Protection Orders and/or court.

3) Barangay Justice System (Lupon Tagapamayapa)

When applicable. Barangay conciliation is generally required before filing a civil case if the parties live in the same city/municipality and none of the statutory exceptions apply (e.g., one party lives elsewhere, the case involves urgent legal remedies, or there is violence/VAWC).

Steps:

File a Barangay Complaint with the Punong Barangay where the respondent resides (or where you both reside). Describe the relationship, the child’s needs, and requested support (monthly amount/benefits).
Mediation by the Punong Barangay. If unsuccessful, a Pangkat ng Tagapagkasundo (conciliation panel) is formed.
Settlement or Certification:
- If you settle, the agreement is written and, after 10 days (if not repudiated), has the force of a final judgment. You can enforce it in court if breached.
- If no settlement, the barangay issues a Certification to File Action (CFA), which you’ll need for court (unless an exception applies).

What to bring: child’s birth certificate, proof of relationship/filiation, proof of expenses (tuition, receipts, medical bills), and any proof of respondent’s income or assets (payslips, business permits, social-media or lifestyle evidence, vehicle registrations, etc.).

Pros/Cons:

Pros: Free/low cost; quick; keeps relations civil; creates enforceable settlement.
Cons: Not suitable for violent/abusive situations; non-appearance can delay the process; no coercive power to garnish income.

4) Prosecutor’s Office route (criminal + protection orders)

Use this if non-support is part of economic abuse under the Anti-VAWC law (violence against women and their children) or child abuse/neglect under special protection laws.

A) Anti-VAWC (economic abuse)

Who may file: A woman (wife, former wife, or woman with whom the respondent has/ had a sexual or dating relationship) and her child; or the child through specific representatives. Economic abuse includes withdrawal or neglect of financial support.

Two prongs:

Protection Orders
- Barangay Protection Order (BPO): Ex parte, issued by the Punong Barangay, typically effective for 15 days; can direct the respondent to provide support and stay away.
- TPO/PPO (court): Temporary and Permanent Protection Orders from family courts can include support, custody, access, residence, and other relief.
Criminal Complaint
- File a Complaint-Affidavit with the City/Provincial Prosecutor. Attach evidence of relationship (marriage certificate, proof of dating relationship/parentage), non-support, and ability to support.
- Preliminary Investigation: The prosecutor serves a subpoena on respondent; parties submit counter-affidavits; case may be filed in court if probable cause is found.

Why use this route: It offers immediate protective relief and criminal liability for non-compliance, which can pressure compliance with support obligations.

B) Special Protection of Children (child abuse/neglect)

If non-support amounts to neglect or abuse, you may also file under child-protection laws. The Prosecutor may proceed criminally while you simultaneously seek civil support orders in family court.

5) Family Court route (civil Petition for Support)

Jurisdiction: Family Courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over support petitions. File where the child resides (or as rules allow).

Core reliefs:

Support pendente lite (provisional support): A fast, interim allowance the court can grant at the start of the case, based on affidavits and financial disclosures.
Final judgment: After hearing evidence of filiation, needs, and ability to pay.
Ancillary relief: Custody, visitation, and other provisional orders may be considered in related family cases.

Step-by-step:

Prepare a Verified Petition for Support
- Parties’ full names, relationship, addresses.
- Basis of filiation (birth certificate, acknowledgment).
- Detailed budget of the child’s needs (tuition, uniform, books, internet, food, rent share, utilities, transport, activities, medical insurance/meds).
- Evidence of respondent’s income/means (payslips, ITRs, business docs, bank/asset clues).
- Prayer: monthly support amount, shared percentages, automatic annual increases (e.g., CPI/tuition escalations), and payment method (e.g., payroll deduction, bank transfer).
Attach required documents
- Birth certificate (PSA or LCR).
- Proof of acknowledgment/paternity (if child is illegitimate): e.g., father’s name on birth certificate via acknowledgment, Affidavit of Admission of Paternity, or other admissible proof (photos, messages, remittance history, DNA if available).
- Affidavit of Merit and Certification against Forum Shopping (signed by the petitioner).
File and pay docket fees (or apply as indigent/PAO-assisted to be exempted/ reduced).
Simultaneous Motion for Support Pendente Lite
- Attach a detailed budget and documents; request issuance within 30 days based on affidavits and financial statements.
Service of Summons
- Personal or substituted service; if respondent is abroad, move for leave for extraterritorial service and consider service via e-mail/other modes allowed by the Rules.
Pre-trial and trial
- Explore amicable settlement or judicial dispute resolution. If no settlement, present documentary evidence and witnesses (e.g., school admin for tuition, doctor for medical needs).
Decision
- The court sets the amount, items covered, payment schedule, escalation, and allocation of extraordinary expenses (e.g., surgeries, board exams).
Enforcement
- Writ of execution for arrears; garnishment of salaries, bank accounts; levy on properties.
- Indirect contempt for willful non-compliance.
- If facts fit, consider VAWC proceedings for additional leverage.

How much is “reasonable”? Courts balance:

the child’s actual needs (itemized, evidenced), and
the respondent’s capacity to pay (income, assets, lifestyle),
aiming to maintain, as far as practicable, the standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the family remained intact.

Tax and bookkeeping notes (practical): Support is generally treated as a family obligation, not compensation; recipients typically don’t treat it as taxable income, and payors don’t treat it as a deductible business expense. When in doubt, get tax advice.

6) Proving filiation and ability to pay

Filiation (paternity/maternity) evidence:

PSA/LCR birth certificate with the father’s acknowledgment.
Affidavit of Admission of Paternity or joint affidavit to use the father’s surname.
Open and continuous possession of the status of a child (photos, school records showing father as parent, remittances, messages).
DNA testing (court-ordered or voluntary), if contested.

Ability to pay:

Payslips, contracts, employer ID, SSS/PhilHealth contributions.
Business DTI/SEC docs, mayor’s permit, BIR forms (1701/1701A/1700/1702).
Bank/asset leads: vehicles, property tax declarations, social-media “lifestyle” posts (vacations, gadgets).
Third-party discovery: Subpoenas to employers, schools, clinics, banks (subject to bank secrecy rules), and government agencies.

7) Amount, form, and mode of payment

Cash plus in-kind (tuition paid directly to school, HMO premiums, rent share).
Percentage splits (e.g., 60/40) based on each parent’s income.
Escalation clauses (e.g., 5%–10% per year; or “as per tuition increases”).
Extraordinary/one-off expenses (braces, laptop, board exam fees) allocated by percentage or by approval process.
Direct payroll deduction or automatic bank transfer on fixed dates with proof of deposit sent by e-mail.

8) Enforcement playbook (when the payor does not comply)

If Barangay settlement: File for execution in the proper court; the settlement has the effect of a final judgment after the 10-day period.
If Court order/judgment:
- Writ of execution for arrears.
- Garnish salary (serve employer), levy non-exempt properties.
- Indirect contempt for willful refusal.
- Protection Orders (TPO/PPO) may direct compliance with support.
- Where facts fit, consider criminal complaints (VAWC economic abuse; child abuse/neglect).

9) Common scenarios & tips

A) Respondent lives in another city/abroad

Barangay conciliation is usually not required if parties don’t reside in the same city/municipality.
File directly in Family Court (seek support pendente lite); apply for exterritorial service if abroad; enforce against local assets/income; consider VAWC if applicable for protective relief.

B) No formal job; income is “cash-based”

Prove lifestyle and earning capacity: social media, phones, GCash/PayMaya records, online storefronts, supplier invoices, Lalamove/Grab rates and schedules, bank/ewallet histories.
Ask the court for percentage-based orders tied to verifiable income indicators, or a floor amount with review every 6–12 months.

C) Child has special needs

Present doctor/therapist reports, individualized education plans, and itemized therapy/medication budgets. Request higher support and priority payment of medical/HMO premiums.

D) Retroactive claims

Support is payable from the date of demand (extra-judicial or judicial). Always send a dated written demand (e-mail or letter) before or alongside filing to mark the start date.

E) Adjustments

Either party may move to increase or reduce support if needs or resources change (job loss, illness, tuition hikes, relocation).

10) Simple templates (you can adapt these)

A) Extra-Judicial Demand Letter (support)

[Date]

[Parent’s Name]
[Address / E-mail]

Subject: Demand for Child Support re: [Child’s Name], [Birthdate]

Dear [Name],

I am formally demanding monthly child support for our child, [Child’s Name], starting [date]. The monthly budget is:
• Food & household share: ₱____
• School (tuition, books, internet): ₱____
• Medical/HMO/medicines: ₱____
• Transportation & activities: ₱____
Total: ₱____ per month

Please deposit ₱____ on or before the 5th of each month to [Bank/GCash details]. If I do not hear from you within 5 days, I will proceed to file at the barangay/court.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

B) Barangay Complaint (outline)

Parties and addresses
Relationship and child’s details (attach birth certificate)
Statement of non-support and attempts to resolve
Specific demand (monthly amount, in-kind items, payment mode, start date)
Prayer for settlement and written agreement

C) Petition for Support (core allegations)

Jurisdiction & venue (child’s residence; Family Court)
Filiation and standing (attach birth certificate/acknowledgment)
Child’s itemized needs and supporting receipts
Respondent’s income/means (attach proof)
Prayer for: a) Support pendente lite of ₱/month + items (tuition/HMO), b) Final support at ₱/month with annual escalation and sharing of extraordinary expenses, c) Garnishment/payroll deduction, attorney’s fees as allowed, and other just relief.

11) Evidence checklist

PSA/LCR birth certificate (and acknowledgment docs if needed)
Itemized budget + receipts (school, rent share, utilities, food, internet, medical)
Income/means of respondent (payslips, ITR, business permits, employer letters, lifestyle evidence)
Communications (texts, chats, e-mails) showing paternity or promises of support
Proof of demand (dated letter/e-mail, barangay filing)
For VAWC/abuse: incident diaries, medical reports, witnesses, photos, prior police/blotter entries

12) Costs, timelines, and practical pointers

Barangay: Filing is free; mediation within days; settlement can be same-day or within a few weeks.
Prosecutor (VAWC/abuse): Complaints are free; BPOs are quick; criminal cases take longer but offer powerful leverage.
Family Court: Docket fees apply (fee waiver for indigents/PAO). Support pendente lite may issue early on affidavits; final judgment takes longer depending on caseload and complexity.
Always document payments and expenses (receipts, bank proofs).
Be specific in orders: exact amounts, due dates, bank accounts, escalation clauses, and what happens if a due date falls on weekends/holidays.
Keep the child central. Courts prioritize the best interests of the child in both interim and final orders.

Final word

If safety is a concern, prioritize Protection Orders and seek help from PAO, DSWD, or trusted counsel. Otherwise, a clear paper trail, prompt demand, and a well-prepared petition give you the fastest path to enforceable support.