Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) – ACCESS Campus, in partnership with the City Government of Tacurong, spearheaded the “Keeping Learners Safe: Laws, Rights, and Responsibilities Forum” on December 9, 2025, at the SKSU – ACCESS Gymnasium. The activity aimed to equip students and other participants with a deeper understanding of national laws safeguarding learners from harassment, abuse, and exploitation.
The forum tackled key legislations including RA 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act, RA 8353 or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997 (as amended by RA 11648), and RA 11930 or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act.
The event opened with preliminaries, followed by welcome remarks from Mrs. Rashida A. Asis, GAD Director of SKSU. City Mayor Hon. Lina O. Montilla, represented by City Councilor Atty. Remo Y. Flores, and Mrs. Felisa A. Sinobago, Treasurer of the City Council for the Development of Women, formally presented the participants. Tacurong City Vice Mayor Atty. Ralen Tabusares-Bernardo also graced the event and expressed her full support for the initiative.
Expert legal officers from the City of Tacurong served as resource speakers. Atty. John Albert S. Solano, Deputy City Prosecutor, discussed the Anti-Rape Law and OSAEC provisions, while Atty. Ronaisa Camendan-Isla, Prosecution Attorney, highlighted the Safe Spaces Act and its implications for youth protection.
An open forum followed, with panelists addressing questions and concerns from participants. The program concluded with closing remarks from Ms. Jonalyn Perfecio, GAD Coordinator of SKSU ACCESS Campus, who emphasized the university’s commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and empowered learning environment.
This collaborative initiative reflects SKSU’s ongoing efforts to strengthen awareness, prevention, and responsiveness against all forms of gender-based violence and exploitation, while actively supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5, Gender Equality, and SDG 16, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.