By CHITO CHAVEZ
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’’ Abalos Jr. directed the local government units (LGUs) to enact ordinances that will further enhance the protection of children against all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation.
In memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2024-094, Abalos stated that the President issued a directive that instructed the DILG to include the enactment of “Anti Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) ordinances and other related indicators into the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA).
Abalos said that the President raised his concern ‘due to the alarming incidents of OSAEC and CSAEM in the Philippines’’, prompting him to issue the order.
“RA (Republic Act 11930 otherwise known as the “Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation materials (CSAEM) Act’’ provides for the special protection of children from all forms of sexualviolence, abuse, and exploitation, especially those committed with the use of information and communications technology (ICT),’’ Abalos stated.
Abalos explained that the CFLGA is a results-based assessment tool and an annual mandatory audit designed to gauge the level of performance of local government units in sofar as implementing programs and instituting measures to uplift the welfare status of children.
“Section 1069e) of the IRR of RA 11930 requires the DILG to incorporate indicators related to OSAEC and CSAEC within the CFLGA,’’ he added.
To comply with the President’s order, Abalos asked the LGUs to adopt local ordinances against OSAEC and CSAEM, task percentage of highly-trained LGU social service workforce to implement special child protection laws, report the number and make proper actions on suspected or alleged OSAEC/CSAEM incidents, include RA 11930 in the “Local Code of Children’’ and include in the menu of Program.Project and Activity (PPAs) in the advocacy initiatives including celebrating the second Tuesday of February every year as “Safer Internet Day for Children Philippines.