THE SENATE on Monday approved on third and final reading two key measures strengthening protection of children both in schools and online.
With 17 affirmative votes and no objection, it passed Senate Bill No. 2426, the Comprehensive School Safety Act, which institutionalizes a framework that ensures the safety of students and school personnel, and promotes safe educational environments secure from any violence and harm.
The chamber also approved Senate Bill No. 1819, the Safeguarding Against Grooming, Inducement and Predation, and Building Accountability for Technology Facilitated Abuse or Exploitation (SAGIP BATA) Act, with 17 affirmative votes.
In a statement before the approval, Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” N. Hontiveros-Baraquel, who sponsored the SAGIP Bata Act, said the bill includes measures against nihilistic violent extremism, an online ecosystem associated with grooming young people and encouraging violence.
Philippine authorities, such as the Department of Justice, Philippine National Police, and the Senate, have linked the rise in school shootings within the country to the unmonitored spread of nihilistic violent extremism.
Senators noted the timeliness of the bills, which followed the Sept. 18 shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato — the third fatal school shooting since June. — Francessca S. Abalos