The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), headed by Flordelina C. Granada, spearheaded the first Quarter meeting of the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children – Technical Working Group (PCWC- TWG) on March 20, 2025, at the Paniqui Hall, Capitol Compound, Bayombong. A notable aspect of the meeting was the presentation of the initial findings from the 2024 Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA), an essential tool for evaluating local government units’ efforts in fostering child-friendly environments.
The discussion also underscored the importance of focusing on child immunization programs. Additionally, members reviewed preliminary results from the internal assessment of the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) Functionality, seeing to it that appropriate mechanisms are in place to safeguard and promote children’s rights.
In safeguarding the rights of children, the meeting also introduced the Makabata Helpline. It is a new strategy which is designed to offer immediate support to children in distress. This helpline provides a platform for reporting various forms of abuse, such as physical, verbal, sexual, and emotional mistreatment, along with exploitation, neglect, and violations tied to armed conflict. Attendees further examined the implications of Republic Act 11596, which bans child marriage and imposes penalties for violators. This law protects children from early and forced marriages, a practice that can have lasting negative effects on their health and well-being.
Finally, the meeting offered a platform to discuss upcoming major activities and projects for children in 2025, intended for supporting the objectives of the CFLGA and fulfilling the requirements for the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG). The session brought out the ongoing commitment of local authorities to prioritize children’s rights and welfare, making sure that all initiatives comply with the national child protection standards. /jmcb
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