Bulacan LGUs recognized for child-friendly governance

 

Among the local government units in Central Luzon that successfully passed the audit, Bulakan recorded a score of 94.49, Balagtas with 93.00, Pulilan with 92.48, Guiguinto with 92.00, San Miguel with 90.60, City of San Jose Del Monte with 90.27, City of Baliwag with 89.90, City of Meycauayan with 89.50, Obando with 89.47, Paombong with 89.40, Plaridel with 87.95, City of Malolos with 87.25, Doña Remedios Trinidad with 87.00, San Ildefonso with 86.84, and Bustos with 81.36.

 

Accordingly, the results for this audit are according to the Inter-Agency Monitoring Task Force in the provincial level consisting of the DILG-Bulacan, Provincial Health Office-Public Health, Provincial Planning and Development Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and Department of Education (DepEd) and in regional level consisting of DILG Regional Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development, DepEd, Department of Health and the National Economic and Development Authority.

Governor Daniel R. Fernando also commended the Bulacan LGUs for their dedication in fostering a safe and nurturing environment for children.

“These LGUs have shown excellence in implementing child-sensitive governance and policies that support the holistic development of the youth. We will continue to ensure that Bulacan remains a province where every child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive,” the governor said. 

The Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) is a results-driven evaluation conducted annually to measure the effectiveness of cities and municipalities in implementing child welfare programs which examines the performance of Local Government Units (LGUs)in promoting a child-friendly environment. 

LGUs that successfully meet the audit’s criteria are awarded the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance (SCFLG).

 

In Malolos City,  Mayor Christian Natividad, together with City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) chief Lolita Santos personally received the award.

 

Natividad confirmed that the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) in Central Luzon has awarded a total of 99 LGUs out of 137 (72 percent) in the region.

 

Mayor Jocell Vistan-Casaje of Plaridel, Mayor Maritz Ochoa-Montejo of Pulilan, Mayor Vergel Meneses of Bulakan, Mayor Agay Cruz of Guiguinto, and Mayor Leonardo Valeda of Obando also received similar awards.

 

The CFLGA was launched in 2014 by the DILG and CWC in response to a 2012 study titled “Towards More Effective Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPCs) in Child Rights-Responsive Governance in the Philippines.”

 

The program serves as a results-based assessment tool conducted annually to evaluate the efforts of LGUs in implementing child welfare programs.

 

During the ceremony, DILG Regional Director Anthony Nuyda, CESO III, commended the LGUs for their dedication in promoting the welfare of children.

 

He encouraged them to continue developing programs that will improve the welfare of youth.

 

DSWD Assistant Regional Director Maribel Blanco, Vice-Chairperson of RSCWC III, emphasized the importance of child welfare, saying “there is no sharper revelation of the soul of a society than the way it treats its children.”

 

SHe reaffirmed the CFLGA’s role in prioritizing the well-being of children through innovative programs and responsible governance.

 

“No child should be left behind,” said Blanco.

 

Other officials who delivered messages at the event included Atty. Rolen Paulino Jr., Mayor of Olongapo City (Awardee); Atty. John Paul Balmores, Mayor of Pura, Tarlac (Awardee); and Undersecretary Angelo Tapales, Executive Director, Council for the Welfare of Children.

 

The recognition of these LGUs underscores their commitment to protecting and uplifting the lives of children through sustainable and community-driven initiatives.