The Department of the Interior and Local Government – Cordillera Administrative Region (DILG-CAR) announced that 51 local government units (LGUs) across the region have been conferred the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance (SCFLG) for Calendar Year 2024, underscoring their unwavering dedication to safeguarding and advancing the rights and welfare of children in their communities.
The SCFLG is awarded to LGUs that have demonstrated excellence in designing and implementing child-centered programs, policies, and services under the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA). The audit assesses LGUs through key pillars of child welfare and security, such as Survival, Development, Protection, Participation, and Governance. To earn the seal, an LGU must attain an overall passing rate of at least 80% in the evaluation.
The 51 cities and municipalities recognized for their commitment to child-friendly governance are: From the Province of Abra, the municipalities of Boliney, Danglas, Dolores, Lacub, Lagayan, Lagangilang, La Paz, Licuan-Baay, Luba, Peñarrubia, Pidigan, Pilar, San Juan, Sallapadan, Tineg, Tubo, and Villaviciosa have earned the seal. In the Province of Apayao, the LGUs of Calanasan, Conner, Flora, Luna, Pudtol, and Sta. Marcela are among those honored. In the Province of Benguet, Atok, Buguias, Itogon, Kapangan, Kibungan, La Trinidad, Mankayan, and Tublay were recognized. From the Province of Ifugao, Alfonso Lista, Asipulo, Banaue, Hungduan, Kiangan, Lagawe, Lamut, and Tinoc bagged the seal. The Province of Kalinga’s awardees include Balbalan, Lubuagan, Pasil, Rizal, Tabuk City, Tanudan, and Tinglayan. From Mountain Province, the municipalities of Bauko, Barlig, Bontoc, and Tadian were conferred the seal. The City of Baguio rounds out the list of national passers in the Cordilleras.
Strengthening Local Initiatives for Children
DILG-CAR Regional Director Araceli A. San Jose lauded the outstanding performance of the recognized LGUs, emphasizing the importance of sustained commitment to child-friendly governance.
“These LGUs have proven that part of good governance is about ensuring that no child is left behind. Their efforts in nurturing safe, healthy, and supportive environments for children are indeed commendable, and we encourage all LGUs to continue developing programs that uphold children’s rights and well-being,” RD San Jose said.
She added that LGUs must remain committed to safeguarding children’s well-being through accessible healthcare, quality education, child protection measures, and active youth participation.
As the Cordillera region continues to champion child-friendly policies, RD San Jose said the DILG-CAR reaffirms its commitment to guiding and supporting LGUs in enhancing their programs for children considering that for FY 2025, the CFGLA will pilot the implementation of the audit at the provincial government level, highlighting the need for broader capacity development interventions to uphold child-friendly LGUs. ##(DILG-CAR/FFP)
