LGUs urged to draft budget for child-friendly programs

Puno said that should municipalities, cities and provinces include in their drafting of annual appropriations these child-friendly programs, the move would ensure sustainability of the localization of the National Strategic Framework for Planning and Development for Children.

The program prioritizes the establishment of Local Councils for Protection of Children from the grassroots level to the regional level. The establishment of child protection councils is in line with the government's efforts to safeguard the welfare of minors and promote child-friendly communities.

Records from the DILG showed that as of July this year, there are over 36,000 LCPCs established in the barangay level; 1,341 at the municipal level; 117 at city level and 71 at provincial level.

Also, these child-friendly programs include the review of cases of juvenile offenders. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology is tasked to endorse means that would make way for the effective rehabilitation of minor offenders and facilitate their immediate release from incarceration.

Recently, Dumaguete City of Oriental Negros was declared as Most Child Friendly City in Region-7. Other awardees were the municipalities of Sibulan, also in Oriental Negros, and Dalaguete of the Province of Cebu. - Ferliza C. Contratista