In our efforts to extend our online awareness campaign in the Philippines, we recently conducted an online safety seminar in Bataan, one of the known provinces in the country because of the rich history it has. It has 237 barangays (a unit of administration in Philippine society consisting of 50 to 100 families) and is home to almost 1 million residents.
We were honored to be invited by one of their local social workers to conduct an online safety seminar for the Municipal Council officials of a town in Bataan. Municipal Council officials play a significant role in the local government unit, working directly under the mayor to oversee and manage local affairs, enact laws, and ensure all decisions are responsive to community needs. The town mayor and all 25 council officials actively participated in the seminar. Additionally, we provided 400 Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) campaign materials to their municipal office. The seminar proved relevant and helpful for these community leaders.
The Philippines has seen a rapid increase in internet usage over the past decade, which has unfortunately been accompanied by a rise in online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. As cases of OSAEC have surged, thousands of children have fallen victim to online predators. The seminar aimed to address these pressing issues and equip local leaders with the knowledge and tools to protect their communities.
The community leaders in Bataan were surprised and saddened by the OSAEC statistics. They were thankful for the seminar and the updated information on OSAEC laws. The seminar also emphasized the importance of community involvement. We are partnering with local NGOs and schools to broaden the reach of our campaign. Our goal is to create a network of informed and proactive community members who can work together to combat OSAEC.
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