𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Quezon City under the leadership of Mayor Joy Belmonte, hosted “𝗔 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 (𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗘𝗖)” at the QCX: Quezon City Experience, located at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, Diliman, QC on February 12, 2025.

The event was held in observance of the National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, which takes place during the second week of February each year.

Usec. Angelo Tapales, Executive Director of CWC, opened the forum with a heartfelt welcoming message. Ms. Christine Belle Torres-Urrea, Senior Researcher at the International Justice Mission, delivered an insightful presentation on the 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘮: 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘖𝘚𝘈𝘌𝘊. This presentation provided a comprehensive situational analysis of children trafficked for the production of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM), shedding light on the extent of this grave issue.

Following the presentation, a panel of experts engaged in a discussion, reinforcing the urgency of addressing OSAEC. The panelists shared the steps and actions being taken by their respective organizations to combat this alarming problem.

These panelists include:
• Usec. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, Undersecretary, International Affairs, and the Attached and Supervised Agencies, DSWD;
• Usec. Angelo M. Tapales, Executive Director V, CWC;
• Ms. Maria Cardidad H. Tarroja, PhD, Professor, Department of Psychology, De La Salle University;
• PLTCol Ayn E. Natuel, Asst. Chief, Anti Trafficking In Persons Division PNP;
• Ms. Maricel D. Esguia, Social Worker, World Hope International – Philippines; and
• Director Romy Fay Gumba, Women and Child Cluster, Office of Sen. Risa Hontiveros

Attendees, which are parents, teachers, law enforcement officers, representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs), and other government agencies, participated in a lively question-and-answer session. During this exchange, community members expressed concerns about the safety of children in the digital sphere. In response, various agencies shared the actions they are taking to address these concerns and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing child protection measures.

After the question-and-answer session, panelists and the audience members signed the “Community Manifesto” to end online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. To close the ceremony, Ms. Joanna Camille Jacinto Lizardo, Unit Head of the Public Affairs and Information Office of CWC, delivered the closing remarks.

The event underscored the collective responsibility of all sectors in protecting children. It served as a powerful reminder of how true collective action is essential in ensuring the safety and well-being of our children in the digital age.

𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐚, 𝐊𝐚𝐦𝐢 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐚!
#CSAAW #ParaSaBata