Caloocan, Manila form child protection councils

MANILA, Philippines - The cities of Caloocan and Manila have recently formed councils for the protection of children.

In Caloocan, the council will focus on curbing the incidence of child abuse.

Mayor Enrico Echiverri said in a statement that the city government has also put up the Yakap Bata holding center to take care of distressed youths or minors who are in conflict with the law.

The holding center personnel will teach these youths to reconnect with society and to avoid situations and actions that would put them in conflict with the law, he said.

Echiverri also said related programs include making the parents aware of what they can do to help their children be strong, responsible and principled citizens.

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim recently signed an order to create the City Council for the Protection of Children (CCPC), which would assist the city government in creating a comprehensive plan to prevent juvenile delinquency and oversee its implementation.

Lim said the CCPC shall be headed by the city social welfare department chief, with the president of the Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan, the superintendent of city schools, the Director of Boystown, a representative from the United Nations Children’s Fund, and the chairman of Museo Pambata as members. – Perseus Echeminada, Sandy Araneta