Cebu steps up war on child abuse, adopts revised National Protection Protocol

MANDAUE CITY— In a major push to overhaul and strengthen its child welfare system, the Province of Cebu has officially adopted the National Protection Protocol, the country’s updated rules for handling cases of child abuse, neglect, exploitation, and discrimination, in a ceremonial launching and signing on July 17 in Mandaue City.

"With this launch, we reaffirm our commitment that child protection remains our utmost priority," declared Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Frederick Vida. "We make a promise today that through this ceremonial signing, child protection is always at the forefront of our policy-making and service."

Cebu became only the second province in the Philippines, following Cavite, to implement the Revised Protocol for the Case Management of Child Victims of Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, and Discrimination (CANE+D).

The milestone comes at a critical time when authorities nationwide are battling persistent threats against minors, ranging from domestic physical abuse to the alarmingly rampant growth of online exploitation.

"The revised protocol reinforces our shared commitment to prevent violence, respond effectively to threats, and place child protection at the heart of everything we do.  More importantly, it strengthens coordination among our social workers, law enforcement, health professionals, educators, and prosecutors to ensure a faster, more responsive referral system,” Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro said. 

A growing crisis in numbers

The updated protocol lands against the backdrop of staggering data on child exploitation across the country and the region.  Data from the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) indicates that child rights violations remain stubbornly high, with 18,089 reported cases in 2024 alone—following 18,756 recorded in 2023.

Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) has emerged as a severe frontier. The Department of Justice (DOJ) handled roughly 2.72 million cyber tip-line reports in a single year.

At the local frontline, DSWD Field Office in Central Visayas recorded nearly 300 cases of violence against women and children in 2025, while assisting over 75 child victims of human trafficking and online sexual exploitation in recent years.

DSWD-7 officials noted that perpetrators increasingly view online exploitation as "easy money," commodifying vulnerable minors.

Unifying the frontline duty-bearers

Developed by the DOJ-chaired Committee for the Special Protection of Children (CSPC), the revised CANE+D protocol updates guidelines surrounding Republic Act No. 7610 (the Anti-Child Abuse Law) alongside newer statutory protections.

The revised framework aims to break down bureaucratic silos and establish a seamless, standardized referral system across key duty-bearers--barangay officials, teachers, and community health workers; Social workers, law enforcement agencies, state prosecutors, and local courts.

The Protocol outlines step-by-step procedures covering every stage of a victim's ordeal—from initial identification, reporting, and law enforcement investigation to court proceedings, psychological rehabilitation, and eventual community reintegration.

During the provincial launch in Mandaue City, Governor Pamela Baricuatro joined DOJ Secretary Frederick Vida to sign a memorandum of understanding solidifying Cebu's operational commitment.

Baricuatro highlighted that the streamlined workflow is urgent, noting recent high-profile incidents involving minors—including school shooting incidents in Tacloban City—that have drawn national scrutiny to the country's juvenile justice and child safety mechanisms.

DOJ Undersecretary Majken Anika Gran-Ong, Provincial Board Members Stanley Caminero and Neneth Reluya, alongside municipal mayors, vice mayors, and regional heads of national enforcement agencies, all of whom signed a shared "Wall of Commitment" to enforce child safety protocols across Cebu's cities and municipalities. (Photos: Capitol PIO)

Baricuatro urges 10 earthquake high-risk LGUs to conduct structural integrity assessments

CEBU CITY— Taking a decisive stance on disaster prevention, Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro is set to issue formal directives to at least 10 local government units (LGUs) identified as highly vulnerable to severe seismic activity, strongly urging the local chief executives to conduct immediate structural integrity assessments on all public and private buildings and to tighten enforcement of earthquake-resilient building standards.

“Disaster resilience is not achieved through response alone. It requires strong institutions, informed planning, scientific understanding of risks, and sustained collaboration among all sectors,” declared Baricuatro.

The proactive measure marks a strategic pivot from traditional disaster response to data-driven risk mitigation. By pushing for local-level compliance, Capitoll aims to assist municipalities and cities in identifying vulnerable infrastructure that requires immediate retrofitting or complete decommissioning.

The directive mandates high-risk LGUs to systematically audit and classify both public infrastructure and private developments to ensure they comply with the National Building Code.

Engineering Threshold: Structures must be evaluated against their capacity to withstand a Magnitude 7.0 earthquake, which experts warn could cause catastrophic damage if infrastructure is left unverified.

The policy was officially adopted as an action point during the second quarter meeting of the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), presided over by Governor Baricuatro on June 29, at the Provincial Capitol.

Provincial Administrator Atty. Ace Durano, who formally moved for the adoption of the measure, underscored the urgency of structural screening: "We must make a concerted effort to assess the buildings, classify them for retrofitting, and explicitly pinpoint structures that cannot withstand a major Magnitude 7 earthquake."

Data-driven risk assessment: The REDAS Simulations

The policy shift was prompted by an alarming presentation from the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) that  showcased five distinct simulated Earthquake Impact Calculations specifically mapped for Cebu.

These projections were generated using the Earthquake Impact Assessment Module, a specialized tool within the Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System (REDAS). Developed by PHIVOLCS, REDAS simulates localized ground shaking to rapidly forecast physical structural damage, potential casualties, and immediate economic losses in the event of a major rupture.

Engr. Robinson Jorgio, Director of the DOST-PHIVOLCS 7 Visayas Cluster Monitoring Center for Earthquake and Tsunami, confirmed that both geological fault lines are currently classified as "potentially active," meaning they present real, tangible long-term threats to the province.

Following the ranking of the most severely impacted areas presented by DOST-PHIVOLCS, Cebu Province will dispatch official communications outlining specific timelines for the LGUs. Local engineering offices will be tasked with conducting the physical audits, updating local zoning safety protocols, and ensuring strict compliance with modern seismic design codes. (Photos: Capitol PIO)

 

 

Baricuatro calls on multi-sector partnerships, solutions to Cebu’s waste problem

CEBU CITY – Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro called on a multi-sector solution to the mounting waste problem of the Province that take its toll on its waste management efforts, acknowledging its inability to solve the problem alone.

Baricuatro issued this call at the launch of the “Understanding Choices Series” a new initiative that aims to tackle pressing issues through collaboration and partnerships with the private sector, civil society and the academe, on March 19 at the Marco Plaza Hotel, with the first leg of the series called “Cebu’s Waste Dilemma and Potential Solution-Interventions.”

“We need you. The government cannot do this alone and we look forward to collaboration, partnerships, and engagement that will result from this event,” Provincial Administrator Atty. Ace Durano appealed to the attendees that included Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, members of the Provincial Board and mayors from various towns and cities of the province.

Durano echoed the governor’s policy of adopting a multi-sectoral approach to governance in addressing Cebu’s key issues, particularly solid waste management, which requires expertise and participation beyond the halls of the Capitol.

The “Understanding Choices Series” with its first leg on waste management and solutions, aims to assess ongoing initiatives, identify gaps, and craft evidence-based solutions to the province’s worsening garbage problem, Durano said.

Elizar Sabinay Jr. of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) bared that similar sessions or summits will be held in the coming months, including Climate Action and Flood-Resilient Cebu in April, People in Governance in May, and the Cebu Education Summit in June.

“This is Cebu moving forward.  It will be science-based; it will be evidence-based; it will be based on consultations, participations, and collaborations not just with local government units but also with multi-stakeholders,” Sabinay said.

Part of the first leg summit was an exhibit featuring local and international solid waste solution providers, waste management technologies and best practices from around the world. Baricuatro led the ribbon cutting ceremony with all the summit participants composed of local government officials, national line agencies, solid waste management advocates, and various solution providers.

“Understanding Choices Series: Cebu’s Waste Dilemma and Potential Solution-Interventions,” is expected to guide the provincial government’s policy direction and programs in addressing cross-sectoral challenges, including climate resilience, governance, and education. (Photos: Capitol PIO)

 

 

Cebu prepares contingency plan against impact of US-Iran war

CEBU CITY – Cebu governor Pamela Bariuatro directed all Capitol offices to implement fuel-saving measures, including reducing unnecessary travel, to ensure responsible consumption and contingency preparedness in anticipation of a possible fuel crisis.

Baricutro issued Executive Order-15 on March 2, after she convened an emergency meeting to discuss precautionary measures amid the looming conflict between the United States and Iran and its possible impact on global fuel supply and prices.

She also ordered all departments to submit their respective fuel conservation plans as part of a coordinated provincial response.  However, EO-15 provides exemptions for emergency and essential services, including ambulances, disaster response operations, and emergency social services, to ensure uninterrupted delivery of critical assistance to the public.

The Provincial government is also prepared with its contingency support mechanisms for possible returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who may be affected by the escalating situation abroad, ensuring assistance systems are ready should repatriation become necessary.

Baricuatro said, Cebu Province is in constant communication and coordination with the Department of National Defense (DOJ), the Department of Foreign Affairs DFA), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and other national agencies to ensure timely information sharing, preparedness, and appropriate response measures.

“Early and timely preparation, prudent resource management, and coordinated action are crucial efforts to protect Cebuanos from possible economic and humanitarian impacts,” Baricuatro said. (Photos: Capitol PIO)

 

 

Baricuato desires safer, smarter Cebu

CEBU—Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro desires a “better, safer and smarter Cebu”, beyond resilience and urged local leaders, policymakers, business movers, and development partners to work toward an inclusive and purpose-driven economy, emphasizing unity, foresight, and compassion in rebuilding and advancing the province’s growth.

“Resilience is not enough. It cannot be our fallback every time disaster strikes. True strength demands foresight. It demands action. We must build not just back — but better, safer, and smarter.  While resilience is admirable, it should not be Cebu’s only response to crises,” Baricuatro told the participants at the Cebu Province Economic Forum 3.0 on October10 at the Capitol.

She called on sectors to focus on preparedness and proactive planning to ensure lasting progress, adding that the forum’s goal goes beyond numbers and economic performance. It is about building an economy that uplifts every sector, from farmers and fisherfolk to entrepreneurs, innovators, and the youth who will inherit Cebu’s future.

“Collaboration is important and progress can only be achieved through shared responsibility.  If we want to move Cebu ahead, we must move as one — with a clear vision, shared responsibility, and genuine collaboration. Government cannot do it alone. Neither can business,” she noted.

The Cebu Province Economic Forum 3.0 gathered key government officials, business leaders, and development institutions to discuss strategies for sustainable growth and post-quake recovery, anchored on the province’s vision of a resilient and inclusive economy.

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the “Invest Cebu Prosper in Paradise” movement organized the forum with the theme, “Embracing Opportunities, Overcoming Challenges.”  Among the speakers included, Robert Dan Roces, Senior Assistant Vice President and Economist of SM Investments; Dr. Brian To, Senior Fellow at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania; and Evelyn Nacario-Castro, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Central Visayas.

CCCI president, Jay Yuvallos thanked the provincial government for supporting such a powerful dialog bringing business leaders, policymakers, and development partners to shape Cebu’s economic future post the 6.9 magnitude earthquake and for championing collaboration and progress through this meaningful partnership with Cebu’s business sector. 

Baricuatro reiterated the importance of working together as one to transform the province into a Cebu that is not only resilient, but ready. Not only competitive, but compassionate. Not only growing, but grounded in integrity and purpose. (Photos: CCCI & Capitol PIO)

 

 

 

 

PBBM allocates P200M aid for quake-hit Cebu, orders ‘tent city’ setup in Bogo

CEBU PROVINCE-- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr allocated P200M in aid for Cebu Province and other quake-hit towns in Northern Cebu and also ordered a “tent city” setup in Bogo City to temporarily shelter residents who were displaced by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit Cebu.

The President visited Bogo City today, October 2 with Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro to personally oversee relief efforts and expressed his concern on the widespread damage in infrastructure, that made residents to remain outdoors for fear of returning to damaged buildings including evacuation centers.

PBBM and Baricuatro assessed the devastation caused by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake in northern Cebu, starting at the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Bogo where they were met with patients and medical personnel, and they assured them that healthcare services remain accessible despite the damage.

To support recovery efforts, Malacañang has allocated ₱180 million in aid for Cebu Province and its quake-hit LGUs: Cebu Province with ₱50M; Bogo City-₱20M; San Remigio-₱20M; Sogod-₱20M; Bantayan-₱10M; Daanbantayan-₱10M; Madridejos-₱10M; Medellin-₱10M; Santa Fe -₱10M; Tabogon-₱10M; and Tabuelan-P10M.

PBBM said this funding hopes to fast-track relief, rehabilitation, and rebuilding for affected communities and based on a situation briefing at the Bogo City Hall, the team decided to put up a “Tent City” because people express fear to go back to their houses as aftershocks are still felt.

“Minamadali na lang natin… para naman may masilungan sila dito. Dahil marami, tama rin naman, natatakot na bumalik sa building. Mas gusto nila dito sila sa labas. Yun ang kanilang kagustuhan, ‘yun ang ating susundan. So, that’s why ang proposal is the tent city,” the President said after presiding over the situation briefing at the Bogo City Hall that also sustained major damage during the earthquake.

Marcos added that the government would tap the Philippine Red Cross to deploy its medical field tents, which were used at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as staging and isolation wards and ensure the tent facilities could provide basic services to the evacuees.

“Ang gagawin natin, kukuha tayo ng mga tent na malalaki at itatayo natin. Kagaya ng sinabi ko sa ating mga LGU executives, ito 'yung mga tent ng Red Cross na ginamit noong COVID. At ito ay mabilis itayo at kahit umulan hindi problema. Kaya 'yun ang dadalhin namin dito sa ngayon. Titiyakin natin na may food supply, may water supply, may kuryente kung kailangan mag-genset. Kung anuman ang pangangailangan ng tao ay titiyakin natin na mayroon,” the President said.

Marcos also checked on the SM Cares Village in Barangay Polambato , a Yolanda resettlement site where several units collapsed and the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer, whose bell tower and facilities were destroyed.

He pledged immediate relief, temporary shelter, and long-term rehabilitation for the families affected. The President assured the earthquake-affected communities of continued government support in the relief and recovery efforts. (Photos: FB Grabs/RTVM/PIA/Capitol)

 

Miss Asia Pacific International, Cebu Province announce partnership to host pageant in Cebu in October 2025

CEBU CITY – Miss Asia Pacific International officials led by Atty. Eva Psychee Patalingjud-Lim and Jacqueline Tan-Sainz and the Province of Cebu with governor Pamela Baricuatro announced its partnership, through the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the two parties to host and undertake the Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 pageant in Cebu, Philippines on October 8, 2025.

In a press conference and MOA signing today, September 10 at the Capitol, Atty. Eva Psychee Patalingjud-Lim, president of Miss Asia Pacific International introduced her team and said that this partnership with the Cebu Province aims at fostering peace and cultural exchange among candidates worldwide.

“This is a transition from moving our coordination line in Manila to Cebu and I feel very wonderful with this partnership with the goal of bringing peace and inclusivity, and the partnership’s potential to unite the candidates globally.  With 50 candidates from all over the world to experience the beauty and cultural heritage of Cebu,” Patalingjud-Lim said.

Cebu Provincial governor Pamela Baricuatro welcomed the partnership to host the pageant here to showcase Asian culture and tourism on the international stage and thanked the organizers and partners of Miss Asia Pacific International for its trust and support for Cebu.

“The partnership’s goal of showing the world, affirms and supports opportunities, investments and global exposures for the Province and the benefits and impact of this partnership on the region,” Baricuatro said.

Jacqueline Tan-Sainz, Executive Director of Miss Asia Pacific International shared that this prestigious event celebrates beauty, diversity and empowerment, bringing together around 50 delegates from across the globe.

 

Tan-Sainz and Patalingjud-Lim shared that the pageant emphasizes celebrating individuality and promoting harmony in diversity, focusing on culture, race, belief, and opinion as its theme. The mission of Miss Asia Pacific International is to inspire women to embrace their uniqueness and appreciate others', fostering confidence and positive change, the officials added.

The Miss Asia Pacific International was founded in 1965 as Miss Asia.  The pageant evolved incorporating participants from broader regions and renaming it to Miss Asia Pacific International in 2005.

“It's one of the oldest international beauty pageants based in Manila, Philippines, with a rich history and notable past winners,” Patalingjud said. (Photos: MBCNewman)