NAVOTAS Mayor John Rey Tiangco announced on Sunday that the local government has partnered with the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) for the implementation of the "Makabata" Helpline 1383 in the city.

Tiangco told The Manila Times that he signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CWC executive director Undersecretary Angelo Tapales.

Under the partnership, the city government will adopt the Makabata Helpline as an additional hotline service that is accessible to the public for child-related concerns.

"Our city treasures its young population. Through the Makabata 1383, we encourage people, especially the youth, to report instances of child abuse and violence, and help to immediately resolve these cases," he added.

By simply dialing 1383 from either their landlines or mobile phones, callers are connected to the specialized hotline team at the CWC.

This simplified strategy speeds up referrals and interventions, particularly for children who have been abused or exploited, guaranteeing better access to help and support, according to the council.

Tapales said the council aims to popularize the child helpline service and maximize its operations to benefit more Filipino children and families.

Launched in November 2023, the Makabata Helpline was developed by the CWC to provide a platform for children to report any form of violence, abuse and exploitation.

It also seeks to address child rights violations through immediate coordination and prevention measures.

Also present during the MoU signing were Karen Gina Dupra, CWC Project Management Office head; and Jennifer Serrano, City Social Welfare and Development officer.