TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has approved on first reading a proposed ordinance to institutionalize Presidential Proclamation No. 417, series of 2018, and declare every second Tuesday of February every year as Safer Internet Day for Children in the City of Tabuk.
Councilor Kristian Wandag, the ordinance’s proponent, said the measure aims to raise awareness and educate children on the proper and responsible use of the internet in all social media platforms to keep them safe, and combat cyber exploitation and other cyber threats against them.
The proposed ordinance would create a Safer Internet Day Committee tasked, among others, to plan and spearhead activities for the Safer Internet Day; conduct orientation on preventing online child pornography and other forms of online violence against children; conduct a Safer Internet Day Forum in partnership with the Schools Division Office and other concerned national-line agencies; and conduct consultation with children and youth leaders, representatives, and organizations of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection of Children from all Forms of Online Abuse and Exploitation.
The committee will be chaired by the Mayor, with the City Social Welfare and Development Officer as Vice Chairperson. Membership will be composed of the chairperson of the SP Committee on Women, Children, and Family Relations; chairperson of the SP Committee on Youth Affairs, Sports and Development; the Schools Division Superintendent, the president of the Panlungsod na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan; the City Information Officer; and other concerned offices and entities.
The proposed ordinance stipulates a one-day celebration of Barangay Safer Internet Day in all barangays within the first week of February, the budget of which will be included in the Barangay Annual Investment Plan for Children under the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children.
The proposed ordinance further states that the city government shall allocate funds annually under the account of the CSWDO to cover the expenses of the conduct of the Safer Internet Day for Children. By Iryll Sicnao
