The number of cases involving violence against children (VAC) in the Philippines has been decreasing under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., according to a senior official of the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), an agency attached to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“Dito sa administration na ito, I am happy to say—hindi ko opinyon ito and you can always check with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Women and Children Protection Center—when we talk about VAC, since 2016 ay pababa yan,” CWC Undersecretary Angelo Tapales told reporters at the DSWD Thursday Media Forum on May 22 at the Central Office’s New Press Center in Quezon City.
According to the PNP data, a total of 23,816 VAC cases were reported in 2016. This number dropped to 19,901 in 2022, further declined to 18,756 in 2023, and reached 18,089 in 2024.
Despite the downward trend, Undersecretary Tapales emphasized the government’s continued commitment to eradicating all forms of violence against children.
“Maganda ang nangyayari ngayon but, of course, hindi po tumitigil ang ating pamahalaan kasi ayaw natin na kahit isang bata ay mapahamak. Lagi ko inuulit-ulit, sa Bagong Pilipinas, bawat bata ay mahalaga. Hindi po tayo titigil hanggang hindi yan mawala talaga,” Undersecretary Tapales said.
The decline of VAC, as mentioned by Undersecretary Tapales, may be attributed to the enactment of laws such as Republic Act 11930 or the “Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act.
The CWC official said President Marcos has convened sectoral meetings to address VAC, specifically OSAEC.
“Because of that sectoral meeting na kasama kami ni [DSWD] Secretary Rex Gatchalian, napwersa ang mga government agencies na gumalaw. Sa 2025 guidelines ng Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA), mayroon nang indicators or targets about OSAEC,” Undersecretary Tapales pointed out.
Undersecretary Tapales explained that under the 2025 CFLGA guidelines, local government units (LGUs) are required to pass ordinances aimed at preventing OSAEC and CSAEM, ensure the presence of trained personnel to handle cases, and establish effective referral mechanisms.
“Dapat din ay may malinaw na referral mechanism. Hindi na po naaareglo ang mga ganyang kaso ngayon,” Undersecretary Tapales told reporters.
The CWC executive director affirmed the commitment of the government—including the DSWD, CWC, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)—to the protection and welfare of Filipino children. (YADP)