The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered all local government units to adopt and fully implement the revised protocol for handling cases involving child victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination (CANE+D).
The directive aims to strengthen local child protection systems and ensure faster, coordinated and child-sensitive responses to cases involving minors.
It forms part of the government’s intensified efforts to protect Filipino children, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for a whole-of-government approach to safeguarding children’s rights and welfare.
Under DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2026-036, LGUs must institutionalize updated child protection policies and mechanisms, ensure the availability of appropriate CANE+D services and interventions, and establish coordinated referral and case management systems within their jurisdictions.
The DILG said the revised protocol provides local governments with a comprehensive framework for managing CANE+D cases while improving coordination among social workers, law enforcement agencies, health professionals, educators, prosecutors and other frontline service providers.
Developed by the Committee on the Special Protection of Children, the revised protocol updates the guidelines issued in 2013 to reflect developments in child protection laws and address emerging issues affecting minors.
It also seeks to align local case management practices with current international standards and evidence-based approaches.
According to the department, the updated framework addresses operational gaps identified over the past decade by strengthening systems for the prevention, reporting, rescue, recovery, rehabilitation, reintegration and monitoring of child victims.
To ensure effective implementation, the DILG instructed LGUs to further develop the capabilities of their Child Protection Committees, Local Councils for the Protection of Children, Local Social Welfare and Development Offices and other implementing units.
The department said this should be done through regular training, stronger inter-agency coordination and sustained resource support.
LGUs were also encouraged to expand partnerships with civil society organizations, non-government organizations, faith-based groups and other stakeholders to strengthen community-based child protection programs and improve the delivery of services.
The DILG stressed that stronger local protection systems are essential to building safer, more resilient and child-friendly communities where Filipino children are protected from violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect and discrimination.