Representatives from Philippine Chamber of Telecommunication Operators (PCTO) member companies gather at the National Summit on Child Online Protection and Responsible Digital Industry Engagement, led by PCTO Chairman Enrico delos Reyes, underscoring the telecom industry’s coordinated commitment to strengthening child online safety efforts in partnership with government and advocacy organizations. (Photo courtesy of TdH NL)
PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications are reinforcing their commitment to combat online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) in the Philippines, supporting a broader industry-wide effort led by the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunication Operators (PCTO) and government partners.
The initiative aligns with the government’s whole-of-nation strategy to implement Republic Act 11930, or the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Law, and was highlighted during the recent National Summit on Child Online Protection and Responsible Digital Industry Engagement.
The summit, organized by Terre des Hommes Netherlands in the Philippines (Project CONEC), brought together government agencies, telecom operators, internet service providers, content platforms, youth groups, and civil society organizations to strengthen coordinated action against online child exploitation.
Telco Industry Takes Active Role in Child Protection
PCTO Chairman Enrico delos Reyes emphasized the responsibility of telecom operators in addressing online threats alongside digital growth.
He acknowledged that while the internet drives national development, it has also been misused for harmful activities targeting children, underscoring the need for stronger industry cooperation with government and advocacy groups.
PLDT and Smart, both members of PCTO, reaffirmed their support through active participation in summit discussions and policy coordination efforts.
Blocking Millions of Harmful Online Attempts
During a panel session, PLDT and Smart Chief Sustainability Officer Melissa Vergel de Dios outlined the company’s ongoing child protection initiatives.
PLDT Chief Sustainability Officer Melissa Vergel de Dios (3rd from left) joins a panel session at the National Summit on Child Online Protection and Responsible Digital Industry Engagement, highlighting PLDT and Smart’s initiatives and collaborative efforts with government and civil society to strengthen child online safety and combat online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. (Photo courtesy of TdH NL)
From June 2021 to March 2026, PLDT and Smart have blocked more than 2.1 million URLs linked to OSAEC content and prevented over 208,000 attempts to access CSAEM-related material in just the first quarter of 2026.
The companies also work closely with law enforcement agencies and the Council for the Welfare of Children, including reporting violations through the MAKABATA Helpline 1383.
Strengthening Child-Centered Digital Policies
PLDT and Smart also emphasized the importance of integrating child participation in digital safety initiatives. Consultations conducted with children in partnership with Terre des Hommes Netherlands revealed that cybersecurity and data privacy are among the most pressing concerns for young users.
Smart Senior Manager for Regulatory Affairs Atty. Kenneth Reganon reaffirmed the company’s commitment to including youth voices in policy development.
“We commit to always recognize the agency of children and the youth in shaping and co-creating solutions that impact them,” he said.
Supporting National Laws and Multi-Sector Cooperation
The companies’ efforts are reinforced through continued engagement with PCTO in legislative and policy discussions, contributing to the development of key laws such as the Anti-OSAEC Act and the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022.
PLDT and Smart reiterated that sustained collaboration among government, industry, and civil society remains critical to building a safer digital environment for Filipino children.
