CAGAYAN de Oro City government led by Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy spearheaded a crucial forum as part of his dedication to raising awareness about child labor and its harmful consequences.
This event even aligned with his economic recovery program, the RISE agenda, which aims to tackle social issues and promote economic growth in the city.
According to Uy the rising number of reported cases of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) in recent years has propelled the need for such initiatives.
The forum brought together 84 representatives from the private sector, along with key agencies including the City Council for the Protection of Children (CCPC), City Inter-Agency Committee against Child Trafficking-VAWC, Department of Labor and Employment-10, and World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. - Project Against Child Exploitation (ACE).
This collaboration was deemed crucial in consolidating efforts to combat child labor within the city.
Honey Jane Tulang, the head of the local committees unit in the City Social Welfare and Development Office, presented an overview of the current situation regarding OSAEC in the city.
According to her, the data collected by the CSWD local committees indicates that OSAEC remains a pervasive issue in the area.
The forum also featured the presentation of statistics to raise awareness about child labor and exploitation.
In 2020 alone, there were 77 reported cases of OSAEC, a significant increase from the 53 cases in 2019.
These alarming figures underscore the urgent need for collaborative action to address the issue.
Additionally, the data reveals that the majority of OSAEC victims are female, aged between 12 and 17 years old.
Perpetrators often have a close relationship with the victims, such as family members, relatives, or friends, making detection and prevention more challenging.
Tulang stressed the importance of reporting incidents of OSAEC to the authorities, as it plays a critical role in preventing further exploitation and abuse.
She said the CSWD Office has established various programs and services to support victims and their families, including counseling, legal assistance, and medical support.
The rising number of documented cases of OSAEC in Cagayan de Oro City is a cause for concern and emphasizes the need for ongoing efforts to combat this problem, according to the forum.
The event served as a significant step in raising awareness about child labor and exploitation, with the hope that this collaborative endeavor will yield concrete actions to safeguard the rights and well-being of children in the city.
Participants also engaged in discussions about existing programs, services, and local ordinances related to child rights protection and welfare.
A primary objective of the forum was to enhance awareness among private sector participants regarding children's rights and pressing issues related to the worst forms of child labor (WFCL), including OSAEC and violations of acceptable conditions of work (ACW).
Earlier, Mayor Uy said that this increased awareness is expected to play a vital role in reducing the prevalence of child labor in the city.
In the coming months, the local government, key agencies, and the private sector will continue to collaborate on various initiatives aimed at reducing incidents of child labor and OSAEC in Cagayan de Oro City.
The forum represents a significant milestone in the city's ongoing efforts to protect the rights and welfare of children.
Mayor Uy's unwavering commitment to addressing this critical issue has set the stage for further progress.
