House panel approves bill creating new child protection agency

THE HOUSE of Representatives committee on appropriations approved on Monday a bill that seeks to establish a new agency that would focus on protecting children from sexual abuse, which has become more rampant during the pandemic.

Under the unnumbered substitute bill, a combination of seven separate bills, an Inter-Agency Council Against Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation (IACSAE) will be created to implement programs to prevent children from being subjected to cruelty, neglect and other forms of sexual abuse and exploitation. 

IACASE will be placed under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The proposed measure, which will be known as the Anti-Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Act, aims to help in the reporting as well as penalizing people or companies who engage in child sexual abuse or exploitation activities. 

The committee will file a final report on the bill. — Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan