IJM Works with Local Lawmakers to Strengthen Child Protection in Communities

partnerships

The recently passed Anti-OSAEC* Law (R.A. 11930) gives local governments the authority and access to resources to protect communities from the *Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children. But local legislators must take some first steps.

Atty. Nelisa Guevara-Garcia and Atty. Samson Inocencio of IJM present a certificate of participation to Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera at an IJM seminar for legislators

Fri Dec 09 20224 min read

What Needs to Be Done?

One of the first steps to strengthening protection for LGUs (local government units) is to submit an ordinance (a law specific to that particular local government), which when passed into law will prohibit acts of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), indicate their corresponding penalties, create a supportive environment for the survivors, and provide the funds needed.

The IJM team supporting local legislators through a seminar, "Child Protective Strategies in Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) and the Role of Legislation in Providing a Supportive Environment."

Local legislators who attended IJM's seminar on Child-Protective Strategies in August 2022, with the IJM team.

Local legislators who attended IJM's seminar on Child-Protective Strategies in August 2022, with the IJM team.

Participants of the November workshop on the Role of Local Legislators as Support Environment for Survivors of Online Sexual Exploitation of Children, with the IJM team

Participants of the November workshop on the Role of Local Legislators as Support Environment for Survivors of Online Sexual Exploitation of Children, with the IJM team

A Nationwide Response

Legislators representing localities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao have taken swift action to draft their ordinances against the Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children.

These legislators attended IJM Philippines’ seminars and workshops held last August and November, on Child Protective Strategies, based on the Expanded Anti-Trafficking Law and the Anti-OSAEC Law. These laws empower local governments to strengthen protection through ordinances.

Philippine Map showing Localities of the Legislators

Celebrating Completed Ordinances

Five ordinances have been signed into law and will take effect 15 days upon publication in the city newspaper.

Congratulations to the legislators who have completed their ordinances:

Councilor Jaycee Aguas
Angeles City, Pampanga

Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao
Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental

Provincial Board Member Karla Adajar
3rd District of Laguna

Councilor Redentor Halili
San Fernando, Pampanga

Councilor Cherry May G. Busa
Butuan City

Update: Since this page was published in December 2022, more local ordinances have been passed.

As of March 2023:

Councilor Maria Isabel Pascual
Baliuag, Bulacan

Councilor Rosevi Queenie Belmonte
Iligan City

Councilor Lemuel Pogoy
Cordova

Cebu Councilor Sarah Lipumano-Garcia
Olongapo City

Vice Mayor Mike Galang
Floridablanca, Pampanga

Hon. Gina Maria Enage
Biliran

How Do These Ordinances Protect Children?

Anti-OSAEC ordinances that are passed into law allow for the allocation of resources, personnel, infrastructure, and technology to be dedicated to preventing, as well as responding to, OSAEC cases in the community. The local government is also empowered to sustain and further build protections needed.

Excerpt from an ordinance

Protecting the Best Interests of the Child

It takes a village to raise a child, but it takes every sector of society to protect them. We celebrate local legislators for taking a critical step in fighting for the best interests of the child, and the growing wave of support among local governments around the Philippines.

We celebrate local legislators for taking a critical step in fighting for the best interests of the child. We are witnessing a growing wave of support among local governments around the Philippines.

The Philippines has come a long way in protecting children. While we are a hotspot for the crime of online sexual exploitation, as we continue to partner together, we are making unprecedented strides in child protection, and making justice for child survivors unstoppable.

Photo of children