More protection for children sought

CEBU, Philippines — A Cebu City legislator is pushing for “concrete policies and protection for children” by ensuring that observance of the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 11930 [Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act] even at the barangay level.

This is contained in a proposed ordinance of City Councilor James Anthony Cuenco that seeks to support RA 11930, particularly by laying down programs for prevention and eradication of online sexual abuse of children, as well as the penalties.

RA 11930 sets that local government units pass an ordinance to localize efforts against OSAEC and CSAEM.  This is to apply the local culture and norms of the local government unit (LGU) “to institutionalize community-based initiatives that address OSAEC and CSAEM at the barangay level”.

Last July 10, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) also issued a memorandum circular for this purpose, stating that the creation of a local ordinance would now be one of the indicators of the “Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA)” award, of which Cebu City is an awardee.

During its regular session last week, the City Council referred the ordinance to the committee on laws, ordinances, and styling for its recommendation.

Section 18 of Cuenco’s proposed ordinance also sets penalties "without prejudice to penalties and fines as may be provided by other relevant laws".

This provision includes a P3,000 fine and mandatory OSAEC seminar for first offense; P4,000 fine and a mandatory OSAEC seminar for a second offense; and a P5,000 fine and a mandatory OSAEC seminar and/or imprisonment of six months to one year, for third offense.

The proposed ordinance also sets that business establishments found to have violated any of the provisions of the ordinance shall be subjected to suspension for first and second offenses or revocation of business permits for the third and succeeding offenses.

The LGU is also mandated to establish OSAEC and CSAEM prevention programs that aim to educate families about them and provide a "holistic local program for rehabilitation and reintegration under the local social welfare and development office which includes support and protection for victims and survivors”.

Cuenco said that although the internet has positively been identified to aid innovation, education, and economic growth, it has also accordingly "enabled those who would harm children".

He said the internet made it easier to "produce, access and share sexual abuse materials to find like-minded offenders and even reduce their risk of detection”.

He cited a UNICEF study that said that the "Philippines has become the center of production for child sex abuse materials globally" and that a "staggering 80% of Filipino children identified as vulnerable to online sexual abuse". The same study said a few of such abuses are even facilitated by the children’s own parents.

"The adoption of stronger legislative measures in support of online safety of children in the City of Cebu will pave the way for the protection and development of the child and it will enhance local governance and strengthen child protection if survivors are capacitated for leadership development, advocacy, and participation," Cuenco said.

Once approved, the ordinance will declare the protection of each child against the ill effects and the dangers of unsafe internet use.

It would also help prevent online abuse and sexual exploitation, with enforcers being on the lookout for “households, internet and allied business establishments, private business establishments, government agencies, and its facilities within the City of Cebu” that violation of RA 11930 may be committed.

Further, “the families, parents, and guardians and of the children would be educated and well-informed on positive parenting, guiding their children on the use and the adoption of the internet or online-offline safety behaviors”.

The ordinance also aims to “monitor online businesses and other allied services/enterprises, such as data providers, money transfers, IT equipment providers, and internet installers” for them to comply with online safety for children.

It would likewise compel mall owners, operators, and other business establishments to notify the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) or the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) “within 48 hours of obtaining facts and circumstances that child sexual abuse or exploitation is being committed on their premises”.

The same ordinance, once approved, is expected to empower the regulation of internet cafes or kiosks in the city to ensure that there no violation of RA 11930 is being committed. (CEBU NEWS)