The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga took a proactive stance in safeguarding children by conducting a comprehensive orientation on Child Abuse Prevention and Protection, and Republic Act No. 11930, the Act Punishing Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) – February 25, 2025.

This initiative is part of the national Safer Internet Day (SID) campaign led by the Department of Justice (DOJ) – National Coordination Center against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and related materials. Throughout February, the theme is “Digital Bayanihan, Para sa Kabataang Ligtas at Protektado Online.”

In its commitment to child welfare, DSWD Field Office Caraga as the chair of the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Their Children (RIACAT-VAWC) and the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) Caraga organized the orientation to enhance the knowledge and capabilities of its personnel in addressing online child sexual abuse and exploitation. The session covered RA 11930, focusing on the legal framework against OSAEC.

The key objectives of the DSWD Caraga orientation aimed to empower DSWD staff to actively contribute to a safer online environment, enhance their capacity to advocate for child protection within their roles and ensure strict compliance with child protection laws in all office operations.

“I am very thankful for the office in selecting varied par

ticipants for this orientation,” shared Rhouela Quilacio, Administrative Officer V. “Though it is not directly related to my current office responsibility, as a mother and individual, this gave me a more in-depth awareness and realization that I do have the capacity to help in combatting this crime. As a mother, I can protect my children and relay the awareness for them not to be

victims. As an individual, we should be vigilant because this crime might be around our neighborhood,” she said.

This sentiment underscores the DSWD Field Office Caraga’s dedication to creating a secure

digital space for children and its commitment to upholding the principles of child protection. This orientation is a significant step in strengthening the region’s defenses against online threats to children.