The city has been nominated anew for the Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities (PACFMC).

“This is an affirmation of our efforts to stop child abuse and promote the rights of children at all time,” said City Social Services and Development Office Chief Maria Luisa Bermudo .

She said the city government was always conscious in the keeping the welfare of children at the center of its agenda.

The city won the award in 1998, 1999, 2013, 2014, 2015.

This year, the city is faced with equally formidable contenders for the Most Child-Friendly Award — Iloilo, Baguio, and Paranaque.

“Davao has always been at the forefront when it comes to establishing programs for children,” Bermudo said .

Among the programs established by the city government was the Kean Gabriel Hotline, a brainchild of Mayor Sara Duterte. The Kean Gabriel Hotline ‎‎09088184444, a child abuse reporting number, has rescued 483 abused children since it was established.

Aside from the hotline, the city government has also put up the Quick Response Team for Children’s Concern (QRTCC), which was designed to rescue, investigate and document cases of sexual, exploitation, and atrocities committed against children.

Bermudo said if the city won anew, “we will be elevated to the Hall of Fame.”

The consistent standing of the city when it comes to being child-friendly is proof of the success of the various programs and projects that are being implemented in the city for the protection of the rights and welfare of the children, the city hall said.

Since July last year, the city has allocated P50 million for the establishment, operation and maintenance and the upgrading and standardization of residential facilities to satisfactorily meet the accreditation requirements of the DSWD Standards Bureau.

The Crisis Intervention Center (CIC) Balay Dangupan, a shelter care institution for physically and abused children, was accredited First Level Standards last year. On the other hand, the Davao City Children’s Village or Bahay Pag-asa, continues to serve as a temporary shelter for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), whose cases had been filed in court and awaiting disposition.

The city also continues to maintain the Paginhawaan Drop-In Center for street children who need temporary shelter and protection and the Lingap Center for Mentally-Challenged Children. The city government also continues to provide day care services for the children of city employees under five years of age at the Child Minding Center.  (PNA)