In a move to bolster child safety, reading tutorial coordinators in Central Visayas have undergone comprehensive training on child protection and safe space laws. This initiative, led by Shalaine Marie Lucero, the regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Central Visayas, aims to ensure the well-being of children participating in the ‘Tara, Basa’ reading program. The training, which took place on January 30, 2025, was part of a broader effort to educate those directly involved with children on the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment. Lucero emphasized the necessity of this training due to the direct interaction coordinators have with child beneficiaries. The program, which spans 20 days, involves close collaboration with children, college students, and predominantly female parents. The DSWD is collaborating with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children-7 to continue these educational efforts, ensuring that all coordinators are well-versed in Republic Act 11313, the Safe Spaces Act, and other relevant child protection policies.
