SENATOR Mark Villar filed a measure incorporating scam prevention education in the Senior High School curricula.

In his Senate Bill No. 1707, or the proposed Scam Prevention Education Act, Villar stressed that cybercrime is one of the most significant threats facing the Filipino people today.

As more individuals engage with online platforms, the senator said fraudsters have adapted their methods to target a larger audience.

According to the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, there were 4,469 reported cybercrime incidents from January to March 2024, representing a 21.84 percent increase from the 3,668 cases recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023.

In response to the rising number of scams, the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act was enacted to address the growing issue of cybercrime and financial account fraud.

Villar stressed that his legislation demonstrates the Philippine government’s proactive efforts to protect the financial system and safeguard individuals from increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by cybercriminals.

Additionally, he said the bill aims to strengthen this proactive approach by protecting the youth from fraud through the integration of scam prevention education into the senior high school curriculum.

The lawmaker further stressed that while fraudsters typically target adults, young people are also highly vulnerable to such schemes.

The measure seeks to educate the younger generation about current and potential fraudulent practices, equipping them with critical thinking skills necessary to recognize and protect themselves from exploitative scammers.