Pursuant to the State’s commitment to keep cyberspace safe for all, the Department of Justice (DOJ) – National Coordination Center against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM) spearheaded the kick-off ceremonies of this year’s Safer Internet Day (SID) celebration aimed at raising awareness on digital safety and responsible internet use.

This year’s SID is a month-long celebration with a theme of “Digital Bayanihan, Para sa Kabataang Ligtas at Protektado Online.” which emphasizes on the importance of a whole-of-nation approach in creating safer digital spaces for Filipino children.

In addition, this activity intends to advocate and inspire the noble spirit of “bayanihan” among government actors, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector to make the internet and cyberspace a safer space for everyone.

Corollary, to shed light on the significance of the occasion, a press conference was hosted by Undersecretary-in-Charge for the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Nicholas Felix L. Ty and NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM OIC Executive Director Barbara Mae Pagdilao-Flores.

The event also highlighted the collaborative efforts of government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs) and the private sector in creating a safer digital world for all.

“This press conference marks the start of our Safer Internet Day celebration but more importantly, it serves as a call to action, a reminder that safeguarding our children online is an ongoing effort that requires continuous collaboration, innovation and vigilance,” ED Pagdilao-Flores averred.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary Ty also encouraged victims and witnesses of any form of online child sexual exploitation to step up and come forward, saying “sana lumakas ang loob nila na magreport dahil nandito naman ang pamahalaan.”

Observance of the SID which is the brainchild of the European Union (EU) SafeBorders project began in 2004 and is now globally celebrated in approximately 180 countries every second Tuesday of February.

For the Philippines, SID has become an annual affair by virtue of Proclamation No. 417 on 5 February 2018.

“Real justice for all is never limited to physical spaces but extends to the bounds of cyberspace, may this occasion be the mark of our stronger collaboration towards creating a safer internet for all,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” C. Remulla emphasized.