Congress, LGUs are partners in protecting children online and offline — Speaker Dy

Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III said Wednesday that Congress and local government units share the responsibility of protecting children online and offline, with lawmakers strengthening legal safeguards and local officials helping turn these into concrete protection in schools, homes, and communities.

Speaking at the 2026 League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Visayas Island Cluster Conference at Royce Premium Hotel in Clarkfield, Pampanga, Dy outlined proposed measures on responsible firearm ownership and children’s social media use, stressing the complementary roles of national and local governments in keeping children safe.

“Ito ang gusto nating partnership sa pagitan ng national at local governments. Gumagawa tayo ng mga batas sa Kamara, pero sa ating mga bayan at barangay natin nakikita kung gumagana ba ang mga ito,” Dy said.

“Kailangan natin ang ating mga mayor, barangay officials, kapulisan, paaralan, social workers, at mga magulang upang gawing tunay na proteksyon sa ating mga anak ang mga batas na ito.”

The conference gathered municipal mayors from across the Visayas under the theme “Building Responsive and Future-Ready Municipalities Through Convergence, Collaboration, and Regional Integration.” The LMP is headed by National President Faustino “Inno” Dy V, the mayor of Echague, Isabela.

Dy said recent school shooting incidents highlighted the need for preventive action in communities and stronger safeguards against unauthorized access to firearms. He cited House Bill No. 11387, or the proposed Responsible Firearm Ownership and Safe Storage Act, which he filed with Majority Leader Sandro Marcos. The measure seeks stricter safe-storage requirements, mandatory gun-safety training, and greater accountability when negligence allows a minor or another unauthorized person to obtain a firearm.

“This is the principle behind the bill: responsible gun ownership must include responsible gun storage,” Dy said.

The Speaker also o House Bill No. 9965, or the proposed Children’s Social Media Safety Act, which he filed with Senior Deputy Speaker Dinand Hernandez and Majority Leader Marcos.

The proposal would prohibit social media accounts for children below 13 and require parental consent and supervision for those aged 13 to below 18. It would also require platforms to adopt age verification, parental controls, and safeguards against harmful content.

Such a measure is necessary, said the Speaker, “because our responsibility to protect a child does not end when that child goes online.”

“Whether they are walking into a classroom or logging onto a social media platform, our children deserve an environment designed with their safety in mind.”

Dy urged LGUs to work closely with barangays, police, school authorities, parents, and social welfare offices to prevent violence, address safety threats, and strengthen emergency response.

“Genuine peace and order is not just about responding when an incident occurs. It is about acting early to prevent tragedy before it happens,” he said.

Drawing on his experience as a former local chief executive, the Speaker said mayors provide a vital link between national government and the people. Their experience and recommendations also help lawmakers craft measures that respond to the needs of communities.

“Bilang dating local chief executive, alam kong ang mga mayor ay hindi lamang implementers of government programs. Kayo rin ang mahalagang tulay sa pagitan ng national government at ng ating mga mamamayan,” Dy said.

He stressed that national-local cooperation must ensure that laws, programs, and funding translate into services and protection in every municipality.

“Ang tagumpay ay mararamdaman natin sa kapanatagan ng mga magulang, sa kaligtasan ng ating mga anak, at sa tiwala ng ating mga kababayan sa atin pong pamahalaan.”