The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening child protection efforts during the Regional Meeting of Pathfinding Countries on Ending Violence Against Children (EVAC) in the Asia-Pacific.

The DSWD represented the Philippine government at the regional meeting held at the Manila Hotel on Wednesday.

Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Undersecretary Adonis Sulit of the Policy and Plans Group spoke on behalf of DSWD and discussed initiatives to protect children from all forms of violence, according to a news release on Thursday.

A key initiative highlighted was the development of a 10-hectare agricultural rehabilitation camp for children in conflict with the law (CICL).

"In addition to our programs and services, we aim to intensify our rehabilitation and reintegration programs for children in conflict with the law," Sulit said.

"The facility will serve as a forward-looking rehabilitation and learning hub, where children in conflict with the law can acquire livelihood skills and rebuild their futures in a nurturing and restorative environment, thereby preventing the cycle of violence." he added.

The facility will be established in partnership with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council, the Bureau of Corrections, and the Department of Justice.

Gatchalian's message emphasized the DSWD's ongoing initiatives, particularly the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons, which offers support to victim-survivors of human trafficking, guiding them through rescue and recovery and helping them reintegrate into their families and communities.

To combat child labor, Sulit said the DSWD continues to implement the Strategic Helpdesks for Information, Education, Livelihood, and other Developmental Interventions (SHIELD) Against Child Labor Program, which has assisted more than 12,000 minors since 2021.

Additionally, to address issues faced by families, children, and individuals in street situations, the DSWD launched the Pag-Abot Program. Since its rollout in 2023, the program has reached nearly 1,200 children living on the streets.

Recognizing that poverty and malnutrition increase children's vulnerability to abuse, the DSWD continues to enhance its social protection initiatives, including the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Supplementary Feeding Program.

"With the 4Ps and the Supplementary Feeding Program, we are addressing not only the abuse that children experience, but also the social and economic conditions that render them vulnerable in the first place," Sulit said.

The DSWD has also enhanced its efforts to combat online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), as well as the proliferation of child sexual abuse and exploitation material (CSAEM).

The initiative is being carried out in partnership with local government units and private sector partners, including Meta Philippines, to prevent the online sale and exploitation of children, often under the guise of adoption.

"The Philippines is fully committed to the Pathfinding Global Alliance's call for transformative cross-sectoral action. We are ready to share what works for us and are eager to learn from your experiences and best practices. Through this collaboration, we can innovate and turn our advocacies into tangible and measurable impact," Sulit said.