The Pasig City local government initiated a training program for the youth to help protect them against online sexual abuse and ensure their safety in the digital world.

The Cyber Youth Formators’ Training of Trainers was launched as part of the city's observance of National Children’s Month.

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and the participants to the 4th National Youth Leadership Summit on Safer Cyberspace in observance of National Children’s Month held on Nov. 23 to 24, 2024. (Photos from Pasig PIO).

The training was held during the 4th National Youth Leadership Summit on Safer Cyberspace at the Buting Elementary School Gymnasium in Barangay Buting, Pasig City, from Nov. 23 to 24. The event was attended by personnel of the local government, youth leaders, faith-based organizations, and school administrators.

With the theme “Pagyabong (Flourishing),” the summit aimed to strengthen the mission of the local government, in partnership with CyberGuardians PH (CGPH), to secure the safety of the youth against any forms of cyber threats.

“Ito naman po talaga ay team effort dahil kung gusto po natin ng safer spaces para sa ating mga kabataan, online man o sa face-to-face ay talagang napakarami nating challenges na kailangan lampasan (This is truly a team effort because if we want safer spaces for our youth, whether online or face-to-face, we have numerous challenges to overcome),” Mayor Vico Sotto said.

Members of the Sangguniang Kabataan and Supreme Secondary Learner Government advisers and officers from public schools in the city participated in the training.

“Nakita naman po natin, napag-usapan natin yung mga ibang nangyayari na hindi lang malungkot, karumal-dumal (pa) po eh... talagang marami pong nangyayari sa mundo na hindi maganda pero hindi po titigil o mawawala yung mga bagay na 'yan kung hindi po tayo mag se-step up, kung hindi po tayo magtutulungan (We have seen and discussed some incidents that are not just saddening but horrifying as well. There are truly many terrible things happening in the world, but these issues will not stop unless we step up and work together),” Sotto explained.

“Gaya ng sa kahit na anong larangan o problema, ang isa sa pinaka-importanteng first step para ma solve ang isang problema ay ‘come together’ dapat palakasin natin ang mga network natin, magtulungan tayo, at taasan natin ang ating kapasidad sa pamamagitan ng training, sa pag-equip, sa pag-empower ng bawat stakeholder (Just like in any problem, one of the most important first steps to solving it is to come together. We need to strengthen our networks, work collaboratively, and increase our capacity through training, equipping, and empowering each stakeholder),” he added.

The city government also mentioned that safer cyberspace has been added as a sub-committee under the Pasig City Council for the Protection of Children, as announced by Ma. Teresa Briones, head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO). It will strengthen the city’s efforts to enhance projects for the benefit of future generations.

In the 2023 summit that carried the theme “Pagsibol (Sprouting)," the city launched the S.A.N.C.T.U.A.R.Y. Program, which focused on promoting cybersafe homes and schools within the city. This program encourages families, schools, and communities to combat Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).

Sotto, together with Vice Mayor Dodot Jaworski and Councilor Angelu de Leon, attended the summit to express their gratitude and support to all participants advocating against violence, especially OSAEC.