Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is calling for more time between children and their parents, teachers and other adults as part of efforts to prevent school violence and other problems involving the youth.
Cayetano raised the issue as the Senate approved on third reading the proposed Sagip Bata Act and the Comprehensive School Safety Act on September 21.
The Sagip Bata Act seeks to strengthen protection against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, including online grooming.
The Comprehensive School Safety Act, meanwhile, would establish a national framework for school safety, including standards on physical security, access control and threat monitoring.
Cayetano said these measures could help prevent violence and abuse, but stressed that broader changes are also needed.
“It is becoming a more dangerous world because it’s becoming a busier world… Young people have more time with their cellphones than with their parents, school, and church,” he said.
The sebator also cited shorter school hours in some public schools, which he linked to classroom shortages following the implementation of the K to 12 program.
“Dinagdagan mo nga ng two years, half day naman… The reality is, less time ng church, parents, teachers sa bata, the more on-screen and online time they will have,” he said.
Cayetano said families and other adults also need to change their habits if the country wants to address violence and other problems involving children.
“The young people need time with their parents, with their teachers, with their religious leaders,” he stressed.IMT
