Talisay eyes upgrade of street kids feed hub

CEBU, Philippines -  Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez wants to improve the feeding center for street children in barangay Maghaway after having been declared as one of the most child-friendly cities in the region for 2012. 

Fernandez and Felipa “Beth” Solana, head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, yesterday received the “Presidential Award for most child-friendly” during the 62nd anniversary celebration of the Department of Social Welfare and Development at the Sarrosa International Hotel

Also receiving their awards were the cities and municipalities of Tubigon, Bohol (1st - 3rd class) category and Pilar, Cebu (4th – 6th class) category.

Talisay also received a cash prize of P50,000. 

Anchored on the theme “Sama-samang Husay, Tungo sa Tagumpay” the celebration will culminate with an awarding ceremony to give special awards to deserving employees who have excelled in their field of work.

Solana, in an interview with The Freeman, said they want to improve the Talisay City Street Children Feeding Center, a project of Mayor Fernandez, by augmenting and providing the materials and equipment needed for the center. 

Under the guidelines, the cash prize shall be utilized by the city for capability building for service providers; repair/upgrading of infrastructure (health centers, day care centers, reading centers and rehabilitation of centers for street children or children in conflict with the law); purchase of equipment and supplies or other innovative projects approved by the Council for the Welfare of Children.

The Presidential Award is conferred to deserving local government units in recognition of their vital role in promoting children’s rights to survival, development, protection and participation as well as in ensuring child-friendly governance.

Each nominee was validated based on the functionality of committees for children, budget allocation and utilization for children, programs and services for children, community and children participation in governance both in the city and in the barangay level.  (FREEMAN)