Globe, DepEd join hands to address child abuses in school premises

CEBU CITY – Globe telecom and Department of Education’s (DepEd)-Child Protection Unit (CPU) joined hands to address the proliferation of abuses committed against children, especially within school premises. 

“This endeavor will impact the lives of our learners and schools. With this, we hope to forge a strong partnership with Globe, as we hope to share our goal of providing quality, enabling, and liberating basic education to Filipino learners by protecting them from all forms of violence, abuse, bullying, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development,” DepEd-CPU OIC director Suzette Gannaban-Medina said.

Medina bared that DepEd created the DepEd Learners TeleSafe Contact Center where students can report acts of exploitation, violence, and neglect committed against them.  

Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, Yoly Crisanto said, Globe is honored to be invited by DepEd CPU as a partner in this timely and significant undertaking.  As a long-time advocate of child protection, whether online or offline, Globe believes in the importance of strong public-private collaboration in keeping our youth safe.

To support the program, Globe extends use of its m360 service, a web-based, multi-channel message blaster allowing large-scale launch of campaigns and advocacies. Through the m360 service, the CPU is further equipped to manage child safety inquiries around the country, and also engage in education drives through mobile connectivity, Crisanto said.

"I am happy that we (DepEd) are taking strides in the campaign to end exploitation, abuse, and violence in our schools… DepEd will ensure a safe and nurturing learning environment by strengthening child protection mechanisms in schools," Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte vowed to provide a safe environment for children in school in her message at the Culminating Activity of 30th National Children’s Month on November 24.

The CPU and Child Rights in Education Desk were recently merged to establish the Learner Rights and Protection Office (LRPO), which serves as the focal office in all matters concerning learners' rights and protection inside and outside of school premises. The said office is tasked to process and address said reports of abuse with utmost urgency, DepEd revealed.

To report incidents of abuse, exploitation, and bullying committed against learners in schools, contact DepEd Learners TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline at (02) 8632-1372 and (02) 8637-2306, or via SMS at 0945-175-9777, or e-mail them at weprotectlearners@deped.gov.ph.

Globe recently launched a new portal, www.makeitsafe.ph which brings together its various efforts to raise awareness and educate the public on internet safety, especially cyberbullying. (Photos: DepEd/Globe FB)