Constitutional and statutory policy basis
- Article II, Section 13 of the 1987 Constitution directs the State to promote and protect the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of the youth as vital to nation-building.
- Republic Act No. 9775 (“Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009”) guarantees children’s fundamental rights to protection from all forms of neglect, cruelty, and other conditions prejudicial to development and endeavors to protect every child from all forms of exploitation and abuse while complying with international treaties on children’s rights.
- Republic Act No. 7610, as amended (“Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act”), declares the State policy to provide special protection to children from all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, and discrimination, and other conditions prejudicial to their development, including child labor, child prostitution, and child pornography.
- Republic Act No. 9775 establishes the Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography (IACACP) as a policy-making, coordinating, and monitoring body for eliminating child pornography in the Philippines.
Purpose of Safer Internet Day
- Safer Internet Day is recognized as an annual call to action to promote better and safer internet use for everyone.
- Safer Internet Day for Children Philippines is established to raise awareness on online issues faced by children.
- The proclamation links the celebration’s intent to the nationwide objective of ending child pornography and strengthening protection for children in online environments.
Declared annual observance
- Proclamation No. 417 establishes that “Safer Internet Day for Children Philippines” is observed every year on the second Tuesday of February.
- The observance is carried out under the coordination of the IACACP and in coordination with specified government bodies and related agencies.
Implementing responsibilities and coordination
- The IACACP, in coordination with the National Youth Commission, Presidential Communications Operations Office, National Privacy Commission, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and National Anti-Poverty Commission, shall promote the observance of the Safer Internet Day for Children Philippines.
- The IACACP shall determine the theme for each yearly celebration.
- The IACACP shall identify the programs, projects, and activities for the yearly celebration.
- All other agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, are directed to cooperate with the IACACP in advocating and implementing programs and activities pursuant to the proclamation.
- Local government units and the private sector are encouraged to cooperate with the IACACP in advocating and implementing programs and activities pursuant to the proclamation.
Basis for endorsement by council
- Council Resolution No. 2 (s. 2017) of the IACACP is recognized as having favorably endorsed the approval and issuance of a proclamation declaring the second Tuesday of February of every year as Safer Internet Day for Children Philippines.
- The proclamation’s issuance is tied to the council’s endorsed declaration for the annual observance.
Officers, signature, and official authentication
- The proclamation is signed by RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE.
- SALVADOR C. MEDIALDEA, Executive Secretary, is shown with the required authority of the President signatory.
- The proclamation is issued with the seal of the Republic of the Philippines being affixed.
Date of issuance and signing location
- The proclamation is done in the City of Manila on February 05, 2018.
- The official signing is reflected by the signature block of the President and the Executive Secretary.