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)

DSWD-7 launches Safer Internet Campaign 2026

CEBU CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 7(DSWD FO7) launched the “Safer Internet Campaign 2026” highlighting responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on February 9 at the weekly Convocation program at the office.

“DSWD-7 is actively monitoring and responding to reports of Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and the proliferation of Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM). We continue to reinforce laws and intensify efforts to combat these issues. We also encourage parents to take an active role as the first protectors of their children in ensuring the safe and responsible use of the internet,” said DSWD-7 regional director Shalaine Lucero.

Lucero said that the office continues to strengthen the implementation of laws and policies that promote the responsible use of the internet to ensure the safety and protection of children in Central Visayas.  She emphasized the critical role of parents as the primary guardians in protecting their children from online dangers.

Lucero bared that Proclamation No. 417, s. 2018 declares the second Tuesday of February of every year as Safer Internet Day for Children in the Philippines. DSWD serves as the co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking–Violence Against Women and Their Children (IACAT-VAWC-7) and as the chairperson of the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC).

DSWD-7 Children Sector Focal Person Ligaya Dael said that month-long campaign highlights the importance of promoting a safer digital environment for children and strengthening awareness of online protection mechanisms with a series of webinar sessions on internet safety for children until February 26, which is the culmination of the campaign. (Photos: DSWD7/FB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

DSWD 7 strengthens awareness, advocacy against trafficking

CEBU CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Regional Field Office VII continues to strengthen its awareness and advocacy campaigns against the increasing number of Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), Trafficking in Persons, and Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC)
in the country.

“There is a critical need to enhance advocacy efforts with direct services. Beyond these services, we are also intensifying our advocacy efforts to combat trafficking, OSAEC, and gender-based violence, particularly VAWC. This is crucial because women and children continue to be highly vulnerable to these issues,” Shalaine Marie Lucero, DSWD7 regional director said in an interview. 

DSWD7 through the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking-Violence Against Women and their Children (IACAT7-VAWC) bared that as of August 31, 2025, the agency has assisted 179 individuals through the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP), providing a total of ₱823,000.00 in aid.

Of the 179 served, 123 were victim-survivors of OSAEC, 33 were victims of sexual exploitation, 16 were cases of debt bondage, and seven individuals were intercepted, Lucero said that DSWD7 is collaborating with LGUs to monitor the families and communities on possible unreported cases. “The victims must be identified and assisted as soon as possible,” she added.

DSWD7 and the IACAT7-VAWC worked closely with the law enforcement agencies in conducting rescue operations, while several cases were referred by LGUs for intervention because trafficked individuals undergo assessment by social workers to determine appropriate interventions, Lucero said.

Labor Trafficking, a major concern in the region

According to Lucero, Labor Trafficking remains a major concern in the region as seen in the the 2023 Sulu Case, where victims, many from the island communities in the region, were rescued from Tubba Lubok Island after being deceived into joining large-scale fishing operations and subjected to exploitative labor conditions.

In 2024, DSWD 7 also provided assistance to foreign nationals rescued from illegal POGO operations in Lapu-Lapu City. Both foreign and local victims were provided with appropriate assistance.  Fishermen rescued from Sulu arrive at the Cebu City Port, while foreign nationals from illegal POGO operations in Lapu-Lapu City receive psychosocial counseling.

Fishermen rescued from Sulu arrive at the Cebu City Port, while foreign nationals from illegal POGO operations in Lapu-Lapu City receive psychosocial counseling.

Despite intensified efforts, cases of OSAEC and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) remain prevalent in communities, with data showing a continuing upward trend. To ensure support, RRPTP provides social welfare services for victims and their families, including livelihood, medical, and educational assistance.

It also offers employment and skills training, logistical support during court hearings, and psychosocial counseling during rescue operations.  Victims are also accommodated in temporary shelters through DSWD 7’s facilities, such as the Haven for Women, Home for Girls, Reception and Study Center for Children, and the Center for Women and Children.

Lucero said that in expanding advocacy reach, DSWD7 promotes awareness through community forums, radio and television programs, and advocacy caravans in schools, amplifying public awareness and rallying support.

“We do not only aim to reduce and prevent cases of trafficking and abuse but also empower the public through increased awareness,” Lucero explained.

She concluded that by making people informed and given access to reporting mechanisms, the greater the chances of reducing the number of victim-survivors referred to the agency for intervention. (Photos: DSWD7/Kerwin Macopia)