Child Protection Agency Established Amid Rise in Online Abuse

A Child Protection Unit under the Office of the President is being established in the Philippines amid a rise in cases of online child sexual abuse or exploitation (OSAEC). On August 6, 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) No. 67, which established the Presidential Office for Child Protection (POCP) to “ensure a whole-of-nation approach in strengthening the existing institutional and legal framework for child protection.” INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — A child protection unit has been created under the Office of the President as the country has seen an increase in cases of online child sexual abuse or exploitation (OSAEC).

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on August 6 issued Executive Order (EO) No. 67, which created the Presidential Office for Child Protection (POCP) to “ensure a nation-wide approach in strengthening the existing institutional and legal framework for child protection.”

“Given the increasing cases of OSAEC and other threats to the well-being of children in the Philippines, and in line with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which states that protecting children from physical and mental distress is a key strategy to achieve a transformative social system, it is critical to ensure a nation-wide approach to strengthen the existing institutional and legal framework for child protection,” EO 67 said.

According to the ordinance, the PCOP will become a branch office of the Office of the President and will be headed by a Presidential Adviser on Child Protection (PACP).

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EO 67 requires the PCOP to monitor and harmonize government policies and programs relating to child welfare and protection, anti-OSAEC, anti-child abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM), and anti-trafficking matters.

The PCOP also has the following tasks:

• Submit policy recommendations to the President and monitor the implementation of Presidential directives or priority programs and projects relating to the welfare and protection of children;
• Promote and monitor the harmonization, integration and non-duplication of relevant government initiatives, policies and programmes;
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and other relevant government agencies and bodies, as well as civil society organizations, in formulating or updating the National Action Plan for Children;
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and the National Coordination Center in formulating and implementing programs to combat OSAEC, CSAEM and child trafficking;
• Identify and recommend the prioritization of urgent government interventions for child protection;
• Subject to existing laws, rules and regulations, represent the Philippines in relevant international fora and initiatives, and monitor the Government’s compliance with its duties and obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child or the CRC, the Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention and other similar international legal instruments;
• Where necessary, convene technical working groups for the effective implementation of this Regulation; and
• Perform such other duties and functions as the President and/or the Executive Secretary may assign to him/her.

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The role of the PACP is to represent the Office of the President as a member at the National Coordination Centre (IACAT), the CWC, the National Council Against Child Labour and the Committee for the Special Protection of Children.

EO 67 further provides that Marcos or Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin may designate the PACP as a member or observer in other similar government agencies and bodies with functions related to child protection, as necessary and subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

Funding for POCP will come from current and available appropriations of the Office of the President and other sources as determined by the Ministry of Budget and Management, in accordance with the terms of reference.