THE Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7) conducted an orientation workshop and consultation forum on Republic Act 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 along with the function of the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) last Nov. 19 to 20.
The forum aimed to discuss the need to lobby for local resolutions or ordinances in compliance with RA 9775, which explicitly orders Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to install software that blocks the transmission of child porn images and cybersex.
Grace Yana, DSWD-7 focal person-Children’s Sector, said the special law has yet to become mainstream in the barangay level.
Yana said local councils must be more proactive with the escalation of child pornography cases in the region.
“There is a need for local councils to be functional and strengthened to comprehensively respond to children’s issues and concerns,” Yana added.
The main objective of the forum was to encourage local advocates to fight against child pornography.
The event also called for participants to share key points of the Anti-Child Pornography Law with other local officials.
The activity was held in line with the celebration of the 23rd National Children’s Month. /UP Cebu MassCom student Lorilee Mae de Paz