Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI'
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRE:
First Regular Session

158

HOUSE BILL NO. ___ “—-—

oT oe ‘STATION UNIT
SNE NOEX SERVICE

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 perils. 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 disrupted 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‘.

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

* asia Marketing Research, Internet Usage, Population Statistics and Facebook Information
http://www.internetworldstats.com/asia.htm

? Facebook Reaches 30M Users in the Philippines http://www.gethooked360.com/facebook-reaches-30-
nillion-users-in-the-philippines/

3 PNP CIDG: Online Gaming is a Disease http://gameshogun..ws/philippines-pnp-cidg-online-gaming-is-a-
disease

“Ibid,


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 a 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 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
the internet; (b) increased number of internet users yearly; (c) high probability 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. | earnestly solicit the support of my colleagues in
the House of Representatives for the speedy approval of this measure.

\LFREDO D. VARGAS II

§ Local Cybercrime Landscape: Scanning the cyber environment in the Philippines
http://aseanfic.org/2015/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Philippine-Cybercrime-Landscape-ASEANFIC.odf

* Virtual Girl “Sweetie” helps track thousands of online sexual predators
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SvKP13¥I61

” Philippine Cyberspace Facts and Figures from Anti-Cybercrime Group of the Philippine National Police, Oct
2014



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1580

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 2016.

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,