ITOGON – On March 25, 2026, the Committee on Social Services, chaired by Hon. Norberto Pacio with committee members, Hon. Albert C. Carantes, and Hon. Albino A. Diego conducted a committee meeting along with the invited persons, PSSG Judith Balaudan, MSWD representatives Ms. Laurie Pangda and Ms. Amilyn Gabao, and SB staff, Atty. Lordeliza D. Andres and Ms. Chonalyn Lampitao.
The committee discussed the proposed ordinances titled “Ordinance institutionalizing solo parents and their children’s social welfare programs, privileges, and benefits pursuant to RA 8972 known as Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000 as amended by RA 11861 known as Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2022 and appropriating funds therefor and for other related purposes” and โAn ordinance institutionalizing the annual observance of Proclamation 759 declaring the fourth week of March of every year as ‘Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week’ in the Municipality of Itogon, Province of Benguet.”
The hearing focused on the OSAEC-CSAEM penalties, source of funding, and flow of OSAEC-CSAEM management. The proposed ordinance being discussed by the committee is based on a national law called the Anti-OSAEC and CSAEM Act (Republic Act No. 11930), which took effect in July 2022. This law was created specifically to fight the rising danger of child abuse happening through the internet, social media, and online platforms, which this municipality wants to address with its own local ordinance.
In December 2025, the Philippine government launched its first-ever national action plan against online child abuse, bringing together different agencies to strengthen enforcement and prevention. More recently, in February 2026, the government’s national coordinating center against online child abuse intensified its information campaigns nationwide. They emphasized protecting children from online harm as everyone’s responsibility and pushed for stronger rules to hold social media apps and online payment platforms accountable. These recent national developments show that the fight against online child exploitation is a top priority across the country, reinforcing why the committee’s work on this local ordinance is both timely and necessary.
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