CWC wants child welfare hotline institutionalized

Angelo Tapales, social welfare undersecretary and executive director of the CWC | PHOTO: Facebook page of Undersecretary Angelo M. Tapales – Council for the Welfare of Children

MANILA, Philippines — An executive order (EO) institutionalizing the “Makabata Helpline” as the main line for reporting sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the country is being pushed, said the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) on Wednesday.

The Makabata Helpline, launched in 2022, is the CWC’s hotline aiming to provide a means of reporting abuses, exploitation, and neglect of children.

READ: At least 17,600 children suffered violence and abuse in 2023, says PNP

According to CWC executive director Usec. Angelo Tapales, the institutionalization of the Makabata Helpline will fall under the launch of a certain “Pagasa” program with the proposed EO.

“‘Pag ‘yan ay napirmahan ng ating Pangulo [Ferdinand Marcos Jr.], hindi na kailangan natin susugin isa-isa ang mga local government units at isa-isa ang mga national government agency para makapag-MOU (memorandum of understanding) kami,” Tapales told reporters in a chance interview.

(Once that is signed by our President, there is no need for us to individually approach each local government unit and each national government agency to establish a MOU.)

“Kasi may Presidential imprimatur na kikilalanin ang Makabata Helpline na isa kami sa talagang focal na helpline o mechanism,” he added.

(Because there is a Presidential imprimatur, the Makabata Helpline will be recognized as one of the truly focal helplines or mechanisms.)

Tapales said a draft of the proposed policy is currently being finalized with the Department of Social Welfare and Development as well as other government agencies.

Once the CWC approves the final draft, it will then be submitted to the Office of the President for review and approval.

READ: Over 900,00 websites showing online child abuse blocked in 2023 — CWC

Tapales then expressed his hope that the EO would be approved and released within the year, as it would allow the CWC to increase the number of its staff for Makabata and extend its operations to 24 hours.

Currently, the CWC chief said the Makabata Helpline currently only has around 10 staff members, with the helpline operating only during office hours.

The Makabata Helpline can be reached by telephone at 1383, mobile at 09193541383 (Smart) and 09158022375 (Globe), its official Facebook page, and email at [email protected]