PLDT, Smart exclusive partners of 2 NGOs on anti-OSAEC advocacy in PH

CEBU CITY -- Terre des Hommes Netherlands in Asia and the Cebu-based Bidlisiw Foundation, Inc. tapped the PLDT network and and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc as the exclusive telco partners of the Safety for Children and Their Rights Online (SCROL) Project in the country, to combat online child sexual exploitation.

Terre des Hommes Netherlands in Asia is an organization that provides assistance to children, while Bislisiw Foundation is a Philippine social development agency that aids urban poor families and both advocates to combat Sexual Exploitation of Children (SEC) in particular, Online Child Sexual Exploitation (OCSE).

“As a technology company and an Internet Service Provider, we recognize the immense responsibility that we need to fulfill to help end any form of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children or OSAEC, especially in the Philippines which has been identified by the United Nations as a global hotspot for these crimes,” Marylou Gocotano, Head of Visayas Relations at PLDT and Smart Stakeholder Management Group, said.

SCROL was introduced in the Philippines with Cebu as the initial launch site. Specifically, the program will be implemented in Naga City and in the municipalities of Minglanilla, Bantayan, and Sta. Fe.

Outside of the Philippines, SCROL has been making strides in Nepal, Kenya, and Cambodia.

“OSAEC has been proliferating nowadays. Our prevention work involves ISPs, telecommunication companies, money transfer agencies, and technology companies, among others. Thus, working together with them, specifically with PLDT and Smart, is one step closer to finding solutions to these aggravating issues affecting the children and the youth,” Bidlisiw Foundation, Inc. Deputy Executive Director, Pamela Uy stated.

PLDT and Smart made strides to curtail online abuse of children. In January of this year, PLDT and Smart's Cyber Security Operations Group (CSOG) prevented more than 200,000 attempts to access OSAEC materials through the pioneering Child Protection Platform.

The PLDT Group commits its full support to boost the implementation of the SCROL project in the predetermined areas and participate in the wider fight against OSAEC. (Photos: PLDT FB)