OZAMIZ, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has taken a further step toward strengthening safeguarding across the country, building on months of dialogue with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and preparing for a national policy workshop planned for October. 

Daniele Donnini, the Commission’s Regional Expert for Asia-Oceania, joined the CBCP Plenary Assembly in Ozamiz in July, where he presented the outcomes of an April working session in Manila – based around the Commission’s analysis in the third Annual Report and discussed the next phase of safeguarding work with the bishops. 

The engagement forms part of an ongoing collaboration between the Commission and the Church in the Philippines, following the National Safeguarding Conference held in October 2025, and in anticipation of the inclusion of the CBCP in the Commission’s third Annual Report, due for publication later this year. 

From consultation to local action

The April meeting brought together the CBCP president, the conference’s Office for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons, religious leaders and other partners to assess the current safeguarding landscape and identify areas requiring further action. 

During a presentation on 6 July, Donnini brought together the results of that consultation, the Philippine Church’s contribution to the Commission’s Annual Report process and the safeguarding priorities emerging from the discussions. 

The exchange focused in particular on how bishops could already begin supporting the implementation of the Annual Report’s recommendations within their dioceses and strengthen local ownership of safeguarding efforts. 

Safeguarding priorities identified

Priorities identified through the process include reporting mechanisms, formation, victim- and survivor-informed practices, greater participation of women and lay faithful, coordination across the Church, governance and review. 

Several bishops also shared examples of local safeguarding initiatives, including ministries providing listening and accompaniment to victims and survivors, as well as cooperation with civil authorities and academic institutions.

Looking ahead to the October policy workshop 

The July plenary now leads into a period of follow-up and coordination ahead of the planned October policy workshop and the anticipated publication of the Commission’s third Annual Report. 

Through its Regional Expert for Asia-Oceania, the Commission will continue to accompany the CBCP as the priorities identified through the Annual Report process are further developed and implemented locally. 

The collaboration demonstrates how the Commission’s Annual Report process accompanies reform at the local level: encouraging locally led initiatives, strengthening relationships with local churches and helping translate safeguarding commitments into practical action