The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) commends the Duterte Administration for the passage of Republic Act No. 116841 which is another milestone law to ensure child protection and development.
Republic Act No. 116481 or the “Act Raising the Age of Sexual Consent” is considered a breakthrough in child protection as it primarily increases the age for sexual consent from 12 to 16 years old, and provides for stricter measures for the protection of the child against sexual abuses.
Moreover, this milestone legislation specifically provides for the engagement of the public and private institutions in the education, training, and care of children in ensuring that their curriculum for continuing staff development includes their responsibilities in identifying, responding to and reporting rape and other sexual offenses.
The active and concrete engagement of all stakeholders in the prevention of abuses and the overall protection of children has been a priority advocacy of the Department. Having all sectors in society involved creates a wider and stronger advocacy platform for the development of the child.
The children’s sector is one of the most vulnerable in our society, which the DSWD is mandated to serve. The Department hopes that all government agencies and stakeholders will further work together towards the care and protection of children and monitor the implementation of milestone laws.
