The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, as chair of the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC), spearheads the regional celebration of the 33rd National Children’s Month (NCM) this November 2025 with the theme “OSAEC-CSAEM Wakasan: Kaligtasan at Karapatan ng Bata, Ipaglaban!” — November 3, 2025 at VCDU Prince Hotel, Butuan City.

The celebration underscores the call to end Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM), in line with the government’s continuing efforts to protect children’s rights in both physical and digital spaces.

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10661, the annual observance of NCM commemorates the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and aims to strengthen public awareness and action in upholding children’s rights to survival, development, protection, and participation.

Under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, DSWD, as one of the lead agencies of the NCM celebration along with the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and the National Youth Commission (NYC), continues to champion programs that promote the safety and well-being of children. This aligns with the administration’s vision of a Bagong Pilipinas that prioritizes inclusive growth and social protection.

The 2025 theme was developed through a child-centered process led by the CWC, where children themselves identified the dangers of social media and online exploitation as urgent issues needing national attention. The consultation process reflected children’s voices calling for stronger protection, awareness, and accountability in the digital environment.

In Caraga Region, DSWD and RCWC member agencies, in coordination with local councils for the protection of children, are rolling out month-long activities to raise awareness on OSAEC and CSAEM, strengthen family support systems, and promote the MAKABATA Helpline 1383 as a central reporting channel for child protection concerns.

The regional celebration also seeks to build the capacity of local duty-bearers, teachers, and parents to identify, prevent, and respond to cases of online abuse and exploitation, while encouraging local government units to adopt ordinances that safeguard children online and offline.

As chair of the RCWC, DSWD Caraga reaffirms its commitment to creating safe spaces where every child can grow, learn, and participate meaningfully. The agency also calls on all sectors to join the advocacy of protecting children’s dignity, safety, and rights—a shared responsibility toward building a safer and more compassionate nation for all Filipino children.