In line with the celebration of National Children’s Month (NCM) this November, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has called on duty-bearers and the public to strengthen efforts in combating Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and the proliferation of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM).

“Let this National Children’s Month be our renewed affirmation to stand firm and united in ending OSAEC-CSAEM once and for all — because the safety and future of our children should never be compromised,” DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said in his message for the celebration.

By virtue of Republic Act 10661, the NCM is observed yearly to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 November 1989.

This year’s month-long celebration carries the theme “OSAEC-CSAEM Wakasan: Kaligtasan at Karapatan ng Bata, Ipaglaban!” It aims to mobilize a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in promoting children’s rights to safety in both digital and physical spaces.

“Magtulungan tayo para sa mga bata. Patuloy nating isulong ang pagkakaisa ng ating bansa para sa karapatan, kaligtasan, at kinabukasan ng mga kabataan,” Secretary Gatchalian added.

The NCM celebration is spearheaded by the DSWD and its attached agency, the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), along with the National Youth Commission (NYC) under the Office of the President.

NCM activities

To jumpstart the celebration, the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) will offer a one-day free ride on 3 November to children and youth below 18 years old. The free rides will be available from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

On 7 November, the CWC will lead the kick-off ceremony in Quezon City, featuring a festival of fun activities for children participants, as well as messages of support from youth leaders, government agencies, non-government organizations, and child rights advocates.

In coordination with the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) CALABARZON and the Provincial Government of Quezon, the CWC and the Philippine Play Coalition will hold the National Play Advocacy Week (NPAW) Play Fair on 15 November at the Quezon Provincial Capitol in Lucena City. The event will promote safe play spaces for children in both online and offline environments.