DepEd, MAKABATA helplines linked for better response to online bullying, child abuse

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) linking the DepEd’s hotline to the MAKABATA Helpline 1383 to better address issues like cyberbullying and other forms of abuse on children in schools.

“Para sa mga guro naman, I’m happy to report that the DepEd through Secretary Sonny Angara and of course, the Council for the Welfare of Children, have signed an MOU linking the DepEd hotline to the MAKABATA helpline 1383,” said CWC Executive Director Angelo Tapales over “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” on Wednesday.

(As for the teachers, I’m happy to report that the DepEd, through Secretary Sonny Angara and of course, the Council for the Welfare of Children, have signed an MOU linking the DepEd hotline to the MAKABATA helpline 1383.) 

“Because we want to address any threats or harm to children through cyberspace or the Internet. Kaya binabantayan natin ‘yan from cyberbullying, of course, including online sexual abuse. The idea is to make children safe whether in public schools, pati ‘yung private schools aabutin natin. So ‘yan po ang abangan natin in 2026.” 

(Because we want to address any threats or harm to children through cyberspace or the Internet. That is why we are monitoring that, from cyberbullying, of course, including online sexual abuse. The idea is to make children safe whether in public schools; we will even reach out to private schools. So that is what we should look forward to in 2026.)

Institutionalized under Executive Order No. 79 in 2024, the MAKABATA Helpline 1383 is a 24/7 system that receives complaints and ensures that children are protected from abuse, exploitation, and neglect.

In addition, incidents of abuse can also be reported through 0919-354-1383 (Smart) or 0915-802-2375 (Globe). Reports can also be sent to makabatahelpline@cwc.gov.ph.

The DepEd has its own Learner Rights Protection Office (LRPO) which receives complaints of bullying through (02) 8632-1372, 0945-175-9777 (Globe), or weprotectlearners@deped.gov.ph.

Other concerns may be reported to its Public Assistance and Action Center (PAAC) at (02) 8636-1663, 0919-456-0027 (Smart), 0995-921-8461 (Globe), or depedactioncenter@deped.gov.ph.

The CWC added that it wanted the public to realize that any form of sexual abuse, even those committed online, is a grave concern. 

“We want social behavioral change to really identify all online sexual abuse as a form of violence against children na dapat po ‘yan i-report. If parents or relatives are involved, we are empowering concerned citizens to really report,” said Tapales. 

(We want social behavioral change to really identify all online sexual abuse as a form of violence against children, and that it should be reported. If parents or relatives are involved, we are empowering concerned citizens to really report.) 

“Gusto nating ma-recognize ng ating mga kababayan na ang online sexual abuse, kahit online po ‘yan, ay talagang pang-aabuso sa bata na talagang dapat po i-report. Dapat nating hulihin, tugisin, kasuhan, at talagang ipakulong ang mga gumagawa po nito,” he added. 

(We want everyone to recognize that online sexual abuse – even if it is done online – is a real form of child abuse that absolutely must be reported. We must catch, pursue, prosecute, and truly imprison those who commit these acts.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News