Philippines Reinforces Leadership in Child Protection at UN Engagements in New York
Undersecretary Angelo Tapales of the Council for the Welfare of Children engages with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict in New York.
NEW YORK 02 April 2025 – The Philippines reinforced its status as a pathfinder in safeguarding children and upholding their rights during a series of high-level engagements with the United Nations, including the Special Representatives of the UN Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG-CAAC) and on Violence Against Children, Ms. Virginia Gamba and Ms. Najat Maalla M’jid, respectively, on 26-28 March 2025.
In a meeting with UN SRSG-CAAC Virginia Gamba on 27 March 2025, the Philippines, represented by Undersecretary Angelo Tapales of the Council for the Welfare of Children, highlighted the success of its sustained peace initiatives and robust national policies.
These efforts have led to a sharp decline in grave child rights violations (GCRVs) in conflict areas from seventy-nine (79) cases in 2019 to only nine (9) in 2024, as noted in the UN Secretary-General’s Report. Since the Philippines first appeared in the report in 2003, it has made significant strides in child protection, a testament to its unwavering dedication to building a safer and more just society for every child.
“The Philippines carries forward a strong record of effective action — strengthening protections, institutionalizing safeguards, and ensuring that no child is left vulnerable to conflict,” affirmed Undersecretary Tapales.
As part of his engagement with the SRSG, Undersecretary Tapales outlined the Philippines’ continued commitments for further strengthening child protection mechanisms.
SRSG Gamba commended the Philippines for its leadership and progress, particularly the institutionalization of key frameworks for child rights protection, including the 4th National Plan of Action for Children (NPAC) and Executive Order No. 79, which established the MAKABATA Program and its dedicated helpline for reporting child rights violations.
The Philippines expressed its readiness to take up the SRSG’s invitation for the country to serve as a model for best practices and to share its lessons on child protection with other nations, including in the region.
Undersecretary Tapales also met with UN SRSG on Violence Against Children (VAC) Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid on 26 March as a follow up to the Philippines’ participation in the First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending VAC held in Bogotá in November 2024.
SRSG M’jid cited the Philippines for its swift and concrete actions, including the establishment of the National Coordinating Center for Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) under the Department of Justice, and the implementation of the Parent Effectiveness Services Program Act by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The country’s engagements in New York reflect its highest-level commitment to child protection, with President Ferdinand R. Marcos reiterated the government’s priority for children’s welfare in November 2024, when he emphasized that “in this age of Bagong Pilipinas, we commit to ensuring a child-friendly and child-sensitive society where every child enjoys their rights.” END
Undersecretary Angelo Tapales highlights Philippine frameworks and initiatives on preventing violence against children with SR Najat Maalla M’jid in New York on 26 March 2025