CALOOCAN CITY, (PIA) --The Council for the Welfare of Children lauds the passage of RA 11930 also known as "Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act."

In a statement, the CWC said that despite being long overdue, this legislative milestone comes at a time when Filipinos across several sectors demand accountability for the horrendous acts against children committed by perpetrators using online platforms.

The passage of RA 11930 brings forth a more vigilant cyberspace towards providing for the increased protection of children, clearly defining OSAEC as an offense and providing penalties, a CWC statement said.

It highlights the increased duties of electronic service providers, internet intermediaries, and financial intermediaries, in terms of blocking and preservation of materials and information found on their platforms, and cooperation with law enforcers.

The law, being trauma and victim-centered, establishes protections and guarantees for victims, particularly with respect to their psycho-social needs.

It also establishes the National Coordinating Center against OSAEC and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material under the Inter Agency Council against Trafficking, to which the CWC is now a party.

The CWC assures the public, its partners and stakeholders of the continued and intensified advocacy towards upholding and protecting the rights of all Filipino children—online and offline. 

“With our law enforcers' enhanced investigative capacities, as provided for by this newly-enacted law, our hopes are high that people’s vigilance and reporting behavior will be met with prompt and competent response,” the CWC said.