1. The DepEd Child Protection Policy or DepEd Order No. 40, s.

2012 is in line with the constitutionally

mandated right of Filipino children to "assistance, including proper care, and nutrition, and special
protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their
development."

The salient features of the said Order are:

A. The Definition of Terms

Aside from providing the meaning of words and usage, Definition of terms impliedly discusses the scope
or coverage of the Order;

B. Duties and responsibilities

The Duties and responsibilities narrates and lists down the duties and responsibilities of the respective
offices of the Department of Education such as the Central Office, Regional Office and Division Offices
down to the School level which is composed of School Heads, School Personnel and Students.

C. The establishment of the Child Protection Committee;

The Child Protection Committee is a mandatory requirement both to public and private elementary and
secondary schools. The Committee’s main obligation includes drafting of the School Child Protection
Policy with a Code of Conduct, and ensure that the children’s right to be heard are respected and upheld
in all matters and procedures affecting their welfare.

D. Measures to address the different forms of child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination,
bullying, and other acts of abuse;

The Order provides preventive measures address the different forms of child abuse, exploitation, violence,
discrimination, bullying, and other acts of abuse. Also, the Order provides protective and remedial
measures to address the different forms of child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, bullying,
and other acts of abuse

E. Rules and procedures in handling child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, bullying, and
other acts of abuse;

The Order lists down the prohibited acts and narrates the proper conduct of handling cases in public and
private schools. This includes discussion of the jurisdiction of the cases, the confidentiality of the facts of
the case and the possible criminal and civil liability of the offenders.

F. Referral and assessment of victims and offenders and other children to other government agencies

Those deemed victims and offenders may be referred by the School Heads to Local Social and Welfare
Development Office for appropriate intervention.

2. The strengths of the policy are:

A. The Order is in line with the constitutionally mandated right of Filipino children under Section 3 (2),
Article XV of the 1987 Constitution and in consonance with Republic Act 7610 or otherwise known as “An
Act Providing For Stronger Deterrence And Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation And
Discrimination, And For Other Purposes”

B. The Order serves as a comprehensive guidelines not only to pupil, student, or learners enrolled in public
elementary and secondary schools but also apply to private elementary and secondary schools.

C. The Order realizes the importance of different government sectors such as the Department of Social
Welfare and Development in dealing with situations involving children.

D. The Order identifies the key persons and lists down their duties and responsibilities which promotes
transparency and accountability.

The weaknesses/ loopholes of the Order are the following:

A. The Order sets duties and responsibilities of each offices of the Department of Education but failed to
identify specific personnel that should take charge or oversee the implementation of the Order or of the
specific activity, campaign, or program;

B. The Order failed to discuss the financial aspect that is necessary in ensuring that capacity-building
programs and campaigns will be fully carried out.

C. The Order is silent if it covers cases under Special Education.

3. If I will have the chance to implement it in my municipality/city/province, I would include other

government agencies in the implementation of the Order. Aside from LSWDO, I would include the
Barangay Officials and Police Officers in charge of Women and Children Desk. The Order is good as it
protects the right of the children in school setting; however, there are situations of child abuse involving
students, pupils, and learners outside the vicinity of the school or in places adjacent to the schools or
during weekends wherein there are no classes and the immediate persons who take charge are the
Barangay Officers or the Police Officers.

4. If I will be given a chance to change the Order, I would enhance it by making sure that there is a budget
allocation for all the programs, projects, activities, and campaigns necessary for the proper
implementation of the program by identifying the source/fund where the budget should come from. The
Order will be useless if it is not properly implemented due to lack of funding to support the programs or
capacity-building of the persons involved.

More so, to ensure that all duties and responsibilities will be accomplished and for accountability
purposes, I will identify the key personnel for each task.

Lastly, to be more inclusive, I will explicitly provide that students, pupils, or learners under Special
Education are cover by this Order.