A Proposed Ordinance Gets a Closer Look
OZAMIZ CITY - A special public hearing gave stakeholders an opportunity to examine the proposed OSAEC-CSAEM local ordinance before it proceeds further. Rather than treating the measure as finished, the hearing created space for recommendations and discussion. Members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod and the Special Justice Zone Committee listened to perspectives from the justice sector and concerned government agencies. That approach matters because online exploitation can involve issues that cross several areas of responsibility, including investigation, prosecution, victim assistance, and child protection. The stated purpose of the hearing was to help make the proposed ordinance more responsive and effective, while keeping the safety, protection, and welfare of children at its center.
Ozamiz Already Has a Justice Network to Build On
The proposed ordinance is being discussed within a broader framework already operating in Northern Mindanao. Ozamiz City, together with Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, forms the Tri-City Justice Zone focused specifically on combating OSAEC and CSAEM. The European Union's 2026 account of its Mindanao visit describes the zone as a collaboration involving courts, police, prosecutors, civil society organizations, local governments, and other agencies. The arrangement was launched in 2024 with support from the EU's Governance in Justice program. This background gives the August 19 hearing additional context: the proposed local ordinance is being developed alongside an existing inter-agency justice structure rather than in isolation.
Turning Community Input Into a Stronger Local Measure
One of the most constructive aspects of the hearing is that the proposed ordinance is still open to refinement. Public consultation allows agencies and stakeholders to identify practical concerns before a measure becomes local policy. The Ozamiz City hearing was led by Majority Floor Leader and Presiding Officer Atty. Mars Tapayan, who expressed appreciation to the Justice Sector Coordinating Council in Ozamiz and participating stakeholders for their recommendations and perspectives. The goal described in the provided August 19 announcement is clear: improve the proposed ordinance through stakeholder input so that it can serve as an effective local instrument for protecting children. It is a measured approach to an issue that requires coordination rather than isolated action.
