• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Councilor Celia Flor is seeking to strengthen the law against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) in Bacolod City, with the cooperation of business establishments, like malls and internet cafés.
In her proposed ordinance, Flor said mall owners/operators and owners or lessors of business establishments should notify the Bacolod City Police Office or the National Bureau of Investigation “within 48 hours from obtaining facts and circumstances that online child sexual abuse or exploitation (has been) or is being committed in their premises”.
Photo developers, information technology professionals, credit card companies and banks, and any person who has direct knowledge of any form of child sexual abuse or exploitation activities shall have the duty to report any suspected child sexual abuse or exploitation materials or transactions to proper authorities, also within 48 hours from discovery, it added.
Flor, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Women, Gender, Family and Childcare, also pushed for a mandatory seminar or orientation on OSAEC for personnel of internet cafés, kiosks, and money remittance centers…as a requirement prior to the issuance of a business permit, regardless if it’s new or for renewal.
“While the internet has been a positive catalyst for innovation, education, and economic growth, it has also enabled those who would harm children by making it easier for them to produce, access and share sexual abuse materials; to find like-minded offenders; and reduce their risk of detection,” she explained in the proposed ordinance already approved by the SP on first reading.
Republic Act 11930 provides that local government units should pass an ordinance to localize efforts against OSAEC and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) taking into account local culture and norms, institutionalize community-based initiatives that address OSAEC and CSAEM at the barangay level, establish OSAEC and CSAEM prevention programs that aim to educate families against OSAEC and CSAEM, and provide a holistic local program for rehabilitation and reintegration under the local services welfare and development office, including support and protection for victims and survivors. | CGC
