Neg. Occ. has most number of sexual abuse cases in WV
Negros Occidental was recently identified as the province with the most cases of sexual abuse against children in Western Visayas.
Estella Paredes of the Region 6 Sub-Committee on the Welfare of Children of the Regional Development Council (RDC)said that based on records of the Philippine National Police (PNP), there were 140 cases of sexual abuse against children in 2006 in the province.
"The figure also showed an increase compared to 2005," Paredes said but did not give the 2005 figure.
"This is already very alarming. The victims were aged zero to 18 years old," she said.
Paredes called on Negros Occidental officials to exert all efforts to arrest this trend in the sugar-producing province.
She presented a briefing on other child-related issues in the province during the Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting Wednesday at the Provincial Capitol, where she also announced that P23.5 million will be released to several local government units here for the Early Child Development Assistance program.
The towns of Cauayan, Candoni, Murcia, Ilog, Toboso, Don Salvador Benedicto and Calatrava are the recipients of the fund.
(PNA)