𝐆𝐎𝐕. 𝐏𝐀𝐌 𝐕𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐒
In response to the call for a unified front against child exploitation, Gov. Pamela Baricuatro issued a stern warning to offenders, vowing to pursue them relentlessly and without hesitation.
“Let me be very clear: there is no place in Cebu for those who exploit children. Not in our communities. Not in our tourism sector. Not during disasters. Not ever,” said Gov. Baricuatro, speaking before the Cebu Against Child Sex Tourism (CAST)-13 Annual Conference this morning at the Capitol Social Hall.
The governor’s remarks were addressed to a coalition of child protection advocates, law enforcers, social workers, and private sector partners.
𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃’𝐒 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐘 𝐈𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐍-𝐍𝐄𝐆𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄
“My priority is simple and non-negotiable: Cebu must be a safe province for every Cebuano child—regardless of where they live, their background, or their circumstances. A child’s safety is not something we compromise. It is something we defend—every day, with every resource we have,” Gov. Baricuatro said.
The governor pledged to take decisive action to protect children from predators.
“We owe our children more than words. We owe them protection, dignity, and a future free from fear. And as your governor, I give you my word: this administration will stand firm, will act decisively, and will always put the safety of our children first,” she added.
The event was organized by the Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB), with the support of a German non-profit organization Karl Kubel Stiftung and the provincial government.
Focusing on strengthening child protection systems in emergencies, the conference underlined the vulnerability of children during crises, including natural disasters, displacement, and economic hardship.
The governor said that these situations create dangerous openings for abuse, making robust child protection systems an “urgent responsibility,” not an option.
“When systems are weak, predators move fast,” the governor said, recognizing the gathering as a critical step toward proactive, coordinated action.
𝐓𝐖𝐎-𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐘
Gov. Baricuatro outlined her two-pronged “enforcement and prevention” strategy and provided details of her directives.
“As governor, I have given clear marching orders to our law enforcement agencies: identify, investigate, and shut down illegal operations that exploit children—swiftly and without hesitation. I have instructed the PNP and all concerned agencies to work closely with social workers, LGUs, and civil society groups so that enforcement is firm, coordinated, and child-centered,” she said.
𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
Gov. Baricuatro, however, recognized that enforcement alone is insufficient, stressing the critical role of prevention.
“Protection also means prevention. It means strong barangays. Trained responders. Safe evacuation centers. Clear protocols before, during, and after emergencies. And it means listening to children and families—because they are usually the first to see the warning signs,” she said.
The governor paid tribute to the frontline workers, thanking CAST and the Children’s Legal Bureau for their work that “saves lives,” and acknowledging the “courage and persistence” of police and social workers.
CLB Chairman Atty. Archil Niña Capistrano extended her gratitude to the Capitol for throwing its support anew to the campaign against child exploitation.
“We at the CLB are particularly appreciative of the fact that our provincial government of Cebu has renewed and revitalized its commitment to the vulnerable, especially our children,” Atty. Capistrano said.
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