A SUBSTITUTE bill strengthening the online protection of children has been approved by the Committee on Welfare of Children at the House of Representatives.

Tingog Sinirangan Partylist Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez led the panel in approving the substitute bill for House Bill 2203 filed by Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado; House Bill 2517 by Deputy Speaker Divina Grace Yu; House Bill 5307 by Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez; House Bill 5407 by Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon; House Bill 5542 by San Jose Del Monte City Rep. Florida Robes; and House Resolution 342 by Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta.

Romualdez said that the measure incorporates the proposals and the counterproposals from various stakeholders.

“We have made a lot of progress from the very diverse proposals from our authors,” Romualdez said.

She added that the bill “is truly representative of the stakeholders’ desire to give a strong online protection policy for children.”

Various government agencies and organizations also contributed their inputs, including the Department of Justice,National Privacy Commission, End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism Ph, and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.

The bill lists the acts inimical to children which include child sexual exploitation and abuse materials; creation of high risk viral challenge; cyberbullying; cyberstalking; cyber mob attack; online child trafficking; online impersonation; online grooming; online publication of child terrorist and violent extremism; recruitment and exploitation materials; online selling of non-essential materials, products and services harmful to the physical and psychological safety and well-being of children; and selling of intimate sexual images as well as streaming of child sexual abuse and exploitation, among others.

The measure will be submitted to the Committee on Appropriations for its funding provisions.