Tagum City – Proving its grit in the advocacy of children rights and welfare, the City Government of Tagum was conferred with the Seal of Child-friendly Local Governance Award by the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) in the annual event organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Interior and the Local Government (DILG) held at Star Hotel in Davao City last July 18, 2017.

Mayor Allan Rellon, who personally received the award, said that the recognition is a testament to the effectiveness of the programs and initiatives employed by the city government to promote and ensure a child-friendly environment and governance in Tagum City.

The recognition was based on the results of the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) conducted by an inter-agency monitoring task force chaired by DSWD to all municipalities and cities in Davao Region. The criteria on the rigid audit process were anchored on the aspects of child survival, protection, development, and participation.

Meanwhile, Tagum’s Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) vowed that it will continue to advance child-friendly programs and institute measures that promote children’s welfare, especially those provided by the city’s Local Children’s Code.

“We will strengthen even more the programs that champion children rights and welfare in the city to secure the development of each child in Tagum,” said Anthonette Leones, head of Secratariat of LCPC.

Ms. Leones also quipped that LCPC has already arranged its projects and activities for the rest of the year and for 2018 which is highlighted by the conduct of Children’s Festival and the activation of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children.

Out of the 43 local government units (LGUs) in Davao Region, 31 received the award. While Tagum City is among the seven of the eleven LGUs in the province of Davao del Norte to be conferred with the “child-friendly” seal. (Roy Banias/Tagum City Information Office)