The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday, March 15, commended the administration of President Duterte for the passage of Republic Act (RA) 11648--considered another milestone law to ensure the protection and development of Filipino children.
DSWD said RA 11648 or the "Act Raising the Age of Sexual Consent" is considered a breakthrough in child protection as it primarily increases the age for sexual consent from 12 to 16 years old and provides for stricter measures for the protection of the child against sexual abuses.
Moreover, it said that the milestone legislation specifically provides for the engagement of the public and private institutions in the education, training, and care of children in ensuring that their curriculum for continuing staff development includes their responsibilities in identifying, responding to, and reporting rape and other sexual offenses.
"The active and concrete engagement of all stakeholders in the prevention of abuses and the overall protection of children has been a priority advocacy of the Department. Having all sectors in society involved creates a wider and stronger advocacy platform for the development of the child," it said in a statement.
The children’s sector is considered one of the most vulnerable in society, which the DSWD is mandated to serve.
DSWD is hoping that all government agencies and stakeholders will further work together towards the care and protection of children and monitor the implementation of milestone laws, such as RA 11648.