Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

Sixteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

5429

House Bill No. _

Introduced by Representative Alfredo D. Vargas III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The internet, as a technology, has been very helpful to every Filipino. The
archipelagic geography of our country somehow distanced the Philippines from the
rest of the world. But because of the internet, each and every Filipino may now use
an array of information through the World Wide Web, Not only does it provide
access to resources, it has also been a very good means of communication between
and among Filipinos here and abroad.

Data shows that around forty five per cent of the Philippine population has access to
the web!. Facebook alone has about thirty million Filipino registrants. Of the 30
million, 40% are young adults (18 to 24 years old) and 15% are teenagers (13 to 17
years old)’, Evidently, as the population of the country increases, the number of
Filipinos gaining internet access also increases.

Albeit useful, the internet also has its peril

Because of its accessibility, many risks
are also being confronted by the users—minors and adults alike.A very alarming
phenomenon is the so-called computer addiction, This has ruined many lives
resulting to broken families, compromised jobs, and distupted education, among
others’, Because of the prevalence of internet cafes in all types of neighborhoods,
children of school age engulf themselves with too much gaming—mostly online.
This has believably affected the mental well-being of the young and is tantamount to
alcohol and drug addiction.*

* Asia Marketing Research, Internet Usage, Population Staistics
Facebook Reaches 30M Users it the Philipines it
Spp CIDG: Online Gaming is a Disosehtpigon
“id



Pornography is also a major issue when discussing the internet. A number of
perpetrators prey on children as subjects of their sexual innuendos. According to the
Philippine National Police, about 20,000 photos of sexually exploited children are
being posted online every week’, The Department of Justice further exclaimed that
about 46% of the reported cybercrimes are related to online child abuse.In an
experiment conducted by international humanitarian organization Terres des
Hommes Netherlands, about 1,000 pedophiles were caught around the world using
a virtual Filipina girl named Sweetie*. The information of these pedophiles have
been conveyed to the Interpol for further surveillance. In such a short span,
numerous abusers were identified. There is surely a lot more than the thousand that
has been tracked. Aside from these harm, children are also susceptible to
cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and cybertrafficking ultimately leading to child
exploitation.

Children are not the only victims of internet misuse. Adults may also experience
perils such as trafficking (e.g. mail order spouse scheme). They are also exposed to
hazards of identity theft, extortion, fraud, scams, harassments, and libel’. Looking at
the agenda of the exploiters, it can be summed up to the following factors: (a) easy
access to internet; (b) increased number of internet users yearly; (¢) high profitability
of internet maliciousness; and (d) heightened mobility of the culprits, et cetera.

More and more transactions are made through online means. Each transaction may
mean money gained or money lost. What better way to safeguard our lives and
resources than to start an awareness campaign among every Filipino. Approving this
bill shall stress the importance of doing our share in ensuring every user's safety
while exhausting the benefits of the internet. I earnestly solicit the support of my
colleagues in the House of Representatives for the speedy approval of this measure.

ALFREDO'D. VARGAS IIL
Representikive
Fifth District of Quezon City

Local Cybercrime Lat

content/uplads2
° Virtual grt ‘Steetie" helps track thousands of online sexual predators
> phtippine Cyberspace Facts a Figures from Anti-Cybercrime Grow


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives

Quezon City

Sixteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

5429

House Bill No.
Introduced by Representative Alfredo D. Vargas III

AN ACT
DECLARING EVERY 10" OF FEBRUARY OF EACH YEAR
AS NATIONAL SAFER INTERNET DAY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title.This Act shall be known as the Safer Internet Day (SID) Act of
2015.

Section 2. Declaration of Principles. The State recognizes the vital role of
information and communications technology in nation-building and the importance
of providing an environment conducive to the development, acceleration, and
rational application and exploitation of these technologies to attain free, easy, and
intelligible access to exchange and/or delivery of information. Thus, it is the
obligation of the State to promote safer and more responsible use of online
technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people
across the country.

Section 3. National Safer Internet Day. Every 10" day of February of each year is
hereby declared as National Safer Internet Day to be observed across the country
especially in government offices, higher education institutions, technical vocational
institutions, high schools, and elementary schools.

Section 4. Implementing Agency. The Department of Transportation and
Communications in close coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and
Development shall plan, design, and implement programs and activities in
celebration of the National Safer Internet Day every year. Other national government


agencies, local government units, and other government instrumentalities shall
actively participate in the activities of this celebration.

Section 5. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in two (2) newspapers of general circulation or the Official Gazette.

Approved,