The House of Representatives has decided to defer action on the Department of Information and Communications Technology's (DICT) proposed P19.49-billion budget for 2027, citing serious issues involving Meta, the parent company of Facebook.
This decision was made during plenary deliberations on September 16, 2026, as lawmakers expressed the need for a resolution to long-standing concerns surrounding online safety.
Grave Concerns Over Child Safety
These are compounded by other persistent harms facilitated or amplified on major platforms, including online illegal gambling, cyberbullying, social media addiction, depression, and related mental health risks that continue to endanger Filipino children and young people.
DICT Statement
The DICT has raised alarms regarding issues such as Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM). These threats have prompted calls for decisive action and accountability from Meta.
- Meta's obligations include implementing effective safeguards for youth safety.
- The DICT emphasizes that accountability should not be optional.
- Technology firms must uphold the highest standards in protecting children.
The agency insists that Meta must fulfill its responsibility to provide a safe online environment, especially given its vast user base in the Philippines. The DICT criticized the company for not adequately addressing these issues and called for immediate and transparent cooperation with local authorities.
Moving forward, the DICT plans to collaborate with Congress, law enforcement, child protection advocates, and technology partners to enhance protective measures for children navigating the digital landscape.