A YOUTH group composed of sexual abuse survivors in schools and gender equality advocates yesterday slammed what it said is the “spurious” hotline numbers of the Department of Education set up to receive complaints from victims of abuse, exploitation and violence.
In a statement, members of Enough is Enough (EIE) said they called the landline and mobile numbers provided by DepEd thrice last week to test its responsiveness but all they got in response were the words “cannot be reached.”
They added they failed to get in touch with any of the department’s vaunted “Child Protection Specialists.”
DepEd spokesperson Michael Tan Poa said EIE might have been dialing the temporary hotline number the department set up before it formalized the creation of the Learners Rights and Protection Office (LRPO).
Poa said the LRPO can be reached via email at weprotectlearners@deped.gov.ph or through the website and Facebook address www.deped.gov.ph/learner-rights-protection-office and https://facebook.com/deped.cpu.
Complaints may also be coursed through the LRPOs hotline numbers 8637-2306 or 8632-1372 or at mobile number 09451759777.
“Since we launched the LRPO, all complaints for abuse and other concerns related to learner rights are handled by the LRPO. That’s why simultaneous to the launch we disseminated the LRPO hotlines in all our platforms. That’s also why in all my recent interviews I always make it a point to mention that the public may file their complaints through the LRPO hotlines,” Poa added.
The group lambasted the department, calling its helpline “a scam for the ages.”
