Cebu City Named One of Most Child-friendly Cities in PHL

(PNA) — Cebu City has gained recognition as among the most child-friendly local government units (LGUs) in the promotion of child rights in the country.

The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) conferred a 2014 Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance (CFLG) to several LGUs, including the cities of Cebu, Cavite, Dagupan, Davao, Mati, Panabo, Tagum, Samal and the municipalities of Maco, Maragusan, Laak, Boston, San Isidro, Lupon, Hagonoy, Kiblawan, Malalag and Sulop in Davao Oriental, among others.

“In promoting child rights to survival, development, protection and participation, towards a Child-Friendly Philippines: A Caring and Protective Society For, By, and With the Children,” read the seal.

The seal was signed by Corazon Juliano-Soliman, CWC chairperson and Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Secretary Mar A. Roxas of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Engineer Ma. Susan Ardosa, chief of Cebu City’s Department of Manpower Development and Placement and executive assistant of the mayor, said the award was turned over Wednesday by DILG-Cebu City director Danilo Almendras.

After winning as the Most Child-Friendly City, the city is now a national contender for the Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Cities under the independent component city category.

The CFLG is a prerequisite for a municipality or city to qualify for the Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities.

The LGUs are geared towards addressing the four broad categories of a child’s right to survival, development, protection and participation.

Under the CFLGA, all cities and municipalities shall be assessed to gauge their level of performance in implementing child-friendly programs and instituting measures that promote children’s welfare.

The audit system will measure LGUs performance in the delivery of services that would generate positive results for children.

The Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance was launched in 2013 by CWC in support to the realization of the Philippine commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The seal aims to honor deserving LGUs that excelled in promoting children’s rights. (PNA) JBP/EB/EBP