GMA, Cavite (PIA) — The local government of General Mariano Alvarez has entered into a partnership with Save the Children Philippines and the Frere Saint Benilde Romancon Education Foundation of De La Salle University – Dasmariñas to strengthen child protection measures in the municipality.
The partnership aims to implement programs focused on combatting online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), a growing concern in communities nationwide.
The collaboration outlines a multi-sectoral approach involving community stakeholders to implement awareness campaigns, educational initiatives for parents and children, training for local authorities, and the development of victim support systems.
Mayor Maricel Echevarria-Torres said the partnership marks the beginning of meaningful programs aimed at protecting the youth.
“Through this collaboration, our barangays, schools, service providers, and parents will be trained to help create a safer, more dignified future for our children,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the initiative will serve as a model for other municipalities seeking to address the rising threat of online child exploitation through community-based solutions and sustained collaboration.
For Save the Children Philippines, the partnership is a “crucial step” in its Protect Children Philippines project, which aims to safeguard children of all ages and genders in the province.
General Mariano Alvarez is among the municipalities covered by the project, alongside the City of Trece Martires, Naic, Tanza, and Silang.
The DLSU-D also lauded the initiative saying that the partnership will reinforce local government and stakeholders’ commitment to creating a safer online environment for children and serving as a model for other communities.
This initiative aligns with Republic Act No. 11930, the “Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act.” (RBF, PIA Cavite)