Latest news with #AngeloTapales
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Schools urged to report bullying cases by CWC
The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) on Monday urged schools to report bullying cases to authorities as the implementing rules and regulations of the Anti-Bullying Act mandates educational institutions to respond promptly on such cases. 'Hindi po lingid sa kaalaman natin, and I think the MAKABATA Helpline also received a couple of reports of schools seemingly sweeping cases under the rug, so to speak. Hindi po nila gustong simulan siguro o inaayos, pero dito po sa bagong implementing rules and regulations na ito, they are required really to take in cases and to respond and to process iyong mga reports po sa kanila,' said CWC executive director Angelo Tapales in Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon. (It's no secret to us, and I think the MAKABATA Helpline also received a couple of reports of schools seemingly sweeping cases under the rug, so to speak. They probably didn't want to initiate or address these, but with these new implementing rules and regulations, they are really required to take on cases and to respond to and process the reports made to them.) The agency pointed out that hiding bullying cases wouldn't mean a positive image for the school. '.... Zero reporting doesn't mean positive performance of school. So, iyong mga ibang schools, at kaunti lang naman iyan, hindi naman lagi at maraming sumusunod naman talaga eskuwelahan, do not sweep it under the rag because it doesn't follow that because a school receives zero reports that the school is really performing well,' he added. (... Zero reporting doesn't mean positive performance for a school. So, for some schools—and there are only a few of them, most schools do follow regulations—do not sweep it under the rug, because it doesn't follow that just because a school receives zero reports, that the school is really performing well.) The CWC official warned that it will report to the Department of Education (DepEd) the schools that will not comply with the anti-bullying law's implementing rules and regulations. 'And, of course, sa part naman po ng Council for the Welfare of Children, if we receive reports through the MAKABATA Helpline 1383, that public and private schools are not really responding properly to bullying and complying with the implementing rules and regulations, we will, of course, report you to DepEd for proper action and investigation po,' said Tapales. (And, of course, on the part of the Council for the Welfare of Children, if we receive reports through the MAKABATA Helpline 1383 that public and private schools are not properly responding to bullying and complying with the implementing rules and regulations, we will, of course, report you to DepEd for proper action and investigation.) The CWC and the DepEd earlier signed a memorandum of understanding linking CWC's MAKABATA Helpline 1383 to DepEd's hotline. 'Kasi gusto nating mas tutukan pa lahat ng forms ng violence against children sa eskuwelahan lalung-lalo na iyong bullying,' said Tapales. (This is because we want to focus more on all forms of violence against children in schools, especially bullying.) Last January, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) sounded the alarm regarding bullying cases among students despite the existing policies and efforts to protect them and to address bullying incidents. Citing the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the commission noted that 65% of Grade 10 students in the Philippines experienced bullying a 'few times' a month, which was the highest among all participating countries. In the 2022 PISA, there was a slight decline in reports, but it was emphasized that one in three students still faced weekly bullying. The resolution of bullying cases in the Philippines seemingly 'moved at a glacial pace,' with only 38 out of 339 (11%) of the reported cases getting resolved between November 2022 and July 2024, based on data by the DepEd Learner Rights and Protection Office. — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
07-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
CWC not keen on total social media ban for minors
The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) said on Monday that it welcomes any proposals to regulate the social media use of children, but it has apprehensions regarding restricting minors from using such platforms. CWC Executive Director Angelo Tapales said they agree that many children who are below 18 years old have become victims of cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, and misinformation because of exposure to social media. Hence, the need to impose regulations on usage. 'Yung regulation, wine-welcome namin 'yan. Kasi siyempre, maraming threats na talagang ano, nasasadlak ang ating mga bata, yung minors natin below 18 po 'yan, whether this is cyberbullying na mataas pa rin base sa datos ng Department of Education; ang online sexual abuse or exploitation of children…at iba't-ibang scams pa po, at mga panlilinlang, fake news, misinformation laban sa bata,' Tapales said on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon. (We welcome the regulation. Because we recognize that there are threats to our children or minors below 18. It can be cyberbullying which remains high based on the Department of Education's data; online sexual abuse or exploitation of children…and various scams, fake news, and misinformation.) Returning senator Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson earlier filed a bill proposing that minors shall be prohibited from accessing or using social media services, while social media platforms shall take "reasonable steps and age verification measures to prevent age-restricted users from registering, accessing, or continuing to use their social media service." For its part, the CWC said that a total restriction on minors from using social media should be reconsidered. 'I don't think kailangan silang i-ban, because at the end of the day we are balancing the rights of children to child protection and yung right to participate naman nila to information na iginagalang din ng ating Saligang Batas,' said Tapales. (I don't think we have to ban them, because at the end of the day, we are balancing the rights of children to child protection and their right to participate in information that is recognized by the Constitution.) Under Lacson's bill, social media platforms must adopt measures to ensure the age and identity of its users; conduct regular audits of user account data to detect and remove age-restricted users from the platform; and adopt prompt response mechanisms for reports or findings of age-restricted users on the platform. The CWC said that using technology could help prevent further threats to children online. 'We have to rely on technology to address the dangers being faced by children online,' said Tapales. However, the agency pointed out that parents have the obligation to guide their children when using the Internet and keeping them safe on the world wide web. 'We have to empower parents also…Because ang parents ang dapat unang nangangalaga sa bata,' said Tapales. (We have to empower the parents also…Because they have the duty to take care of their children.) 'First and foremost, you need to know how to use the internet, the cyberspace, the social media, and the gadget. Kapag hindi mo alam ang dangers niyan, baka ayan ang gagawin mo, gagawan mo ng account kahit 5 years old lang ang anak mo, post ka nang post, nagva-vlog ka, exposing the likeness of your children,' he added. (First and foremost, you need to know how to use the internet, the cyberspace, the social media, and the gadget. If you don't know the dangers when using them, obviously you would simply make accounts for your 5-year-old kid, post online about everything or do vlogs which could expose your children.) Lacson's proposed measure was patterned to Australia's new law that bans children under 16 years old from using social media or opening new accounts. The said law covers social media platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
26-05-2025
- GMA Network
CWC launches media guidelines on coverage of vulnerable children
The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) has launched guidelines for media and content creators on how to cover stories involving children in vulnerable situations. CWC Executive Director Angelo Tapales said the guidelines emphasize prioritizing the dignity and privacy of children in the reports. 'One way of protecting children is really encouraging the media to make their reporting and coverage child-friendly or child-sensitive. Ang objective ng guidelines natin [The objective of our guidelines] is of course to encourage media to report children fairly and produce contents that promotes the rights of children,' he said in an interview on the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing. 'Hindi dapat makakalimutan yung [We must not forget the] best interests of the child, which is defined as the totality of circumstances and conditions most congenial to the survival, protection, and feeling of security of children.' The CWC official noted that the guidelines aim to protect children who need special protection or who are victims of violence, cruelty, and exploitation. 'Keep in mind that the child you are interacting with may be experiencing or may have experienced trauma. Ensure that the engagement with the child and the final content do not cause retraumatization. Also, avoid sensationalizing stories of or with children,' a portion of the guidelines reads. The CWC official added that consent of the parents and the guardians are also important. Further, anonymity and confidentiality of the children in sensitive reports must also be noted. 'Let's always maintain anonymity and confidentiality. Kapag biktima 'yan ng panga-abuso [If they are a victim of abuse], always blur the faces, do not divulge the identity…huwag din tayo mag-divulge ng [let us also not divulge] any identifying circumstances,' said Tapales. — BM, GMA Integrated News
