CEBU, Philippines — With the goal of creating a safer Philippines for children, around 300 vice mayors from across the country gathered for the "2024 Summit on Children: A Legislative Conference on the Welfare and Protection of Children", organized by the Vice Mayors' League of the Philippines (VMLP) and held in Cebu City.
The three-day summit, themed “Break the Prevalence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines” is part of the month-long celebration of National Children's Month.
The summit, held from November 5 to November 7, included a series of lectures and discussions on child welfare issues, featuring insights from various government agencies.
The discussions featured inputs from several key agencies, including the Council for the Welfare of Children, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Labor and Employment.
Additionally, representatives from Cebu Province, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and the International Justice Mission also shared their insights on safeguarding children and creating a safe environment for them.
In a joint manifesto, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to tackling critical issues, including child protection, child participation, and the impact of climate change on children's well-being.
According to Sugbo News, the official media arm of the Cebu Provincial Capitol, the manifesto emphasized the need for local government units to prioritize these areas to ensure a secure future for children nationwide.
In support of the summit, the Cebu Provincial Government hosted a welcome dinner last November 6 at a hotel in Cebu City.
The event was attended by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, VMLP National President San Mariano, Isabela, Vice Mayor Dean Anthony Domalanta, and Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, who had previously served as the national vice president of VMLP before assuming the chief executive role. (CEBU NEWS)