LGUs urged: Provide sexual assault evidence kits

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged local government units across the country to adopt standardized evidence collection kits to strengthen investigations and prosecutions of child sexual assault cases.

In Memorandum Circular 2026-035, the DILG called on local executives to allocate funds for the Sexual Assault Investigation Kit, known as the SAI.Kit, following directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to improve child protection measures and victim recovery interventions.

Developed by the University of the Philippines Diliman’s DNA Analysis Laboratory at the Natural Sciences Research Institute, the kit was launched in May 2026.

It establishes a secure framework for healthcare workers and law enforcement personnel to collect, document and preserve biological evidence and DNA samples from child survivors.

DILG officials stressed that the standardized forensic tool aims to safeguard the integrity of evidence in court proceedings while protecting the privacy and rights of victim-survivors.

As frontline responders to incidents involving violence against women and children, local governments were urged to incorporate the procurement of the kits into their local development plans and annual budgets.

The agency cited that the forensic kits will complement the work of community-level Violence Against Women desks, which serve as initial reporting points for abuse.

Local governments were also advised to streamline referral pathways between local health offices, hospitals, police units, and child protection councils to ensure swift medical and legal responses in sexual assault investigations.