Sec. Robredo graces blessing, unveiling of historical marker

by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, October 27 (PIA) -- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo led the blessing and unveiling of the historical marker in Catanduanes yesterday morning, October 26, 2011 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, Capitol Building, Virac, Catanduanes.

The Secretary's official visit to the province was in line with the 66th Catandungan Foundation Festival where he was one of the Guests of Honor of the "Ugnayan" with the barangay, municipal and provincial officials.

Important issues concerning the department were tackled including the proposal of the League of Barangays on their term extension from three to five years which according to Sec. Robredo will be a decision of congress.

Robredo also conducted meeting with Provincial DILG, BJMP, Bureau of Fire and PNP. He also held a press conference with the local media.

Moreover, Sec. Robredo gave an opening statement followed by the question and answer portion between the local media and the secretary. The Sec. likewise gave a closing statement.

The DILG chief awarded the Seal of Good Governance Award to the municipal mayors of the municipalities of San Andres, Viga, Pandan, San Miguel, and Virac and Governor Joseph C. Cua for Catanduanes.(MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)


Protection council holds forum on Managing Children’s Concerns

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, October 27 (PIA) -- Mayor Liecel Seville of Lucena City will share the success story of the Lucena City’s program of the Council for the Protection of Children (CPC), in today’s provincial forum to be held at Paradise Hotel , it being one of those nationally recognized implementer of the Most Child Friendly Municipality for 2011.

Her topic 'Building Child Friendly Communities: Sharing of Best Practices' will be one of the highlights of shared knowledge to members of the Sorsogon Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (SPCPC).

The SPCPC is the organizing body of this one day provincial forum on Managing Children’s Concern: Investment for the Future, another Kasanggayahan Festival 2011 activity that brings to the front the theme of “Going Beyond”

Myra Relativo, assistant department head of the Sorsogon Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), focal person for the activity said, that Sorsogon has been also one of those provinces who had been nationally acclaimed as best implementer of the Most Child Friendly Municipalities, Irosin town being the first national winner in this category for two successive years followed by the municipality of Casiguran.

Today’s forum will include the topic of Child Friendly Governance to be shared by Ms Remia Tapispisan, regional director, of the Department of Social Welfare and Development RO V.

Regional Director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), ROV, Blandino Maceda will discuss on the topic Strengthening Local Councils for the Protection of Children: Institutionalizing Children’s Program.

The topic on Seeing the Best Interest of the Child: Laws on Children will be explained by Atty. O. Nibungco, Associate Prosecution Attorney, Chief Operating Officer, Regional Anti-Trafficking Task Force.

Meanwhile , Irma S. Valiente, assistant regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ROV will also talk on the topic Philippine Program Against Child Labor Implementation at all LGU Levels.

In the previous meeting of the SPCPC, during its deliberations, these concerns were the pressing issues surfaced by the council that needs to be clarified and to be learned in particular as part of the strengthening and enhancing of the knowledge skills and attitudes of members working in the municipal, city and provincial councils as it will aid them in the fast and easy facilitation of providing interventions for children’s concern.

Expected to attend in this forum are local chief executives, women organization , participants from the academe and in particular the members of the SCPC. (IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Brgy V in Daet notches top spot in 2011 Search for Most Child Friendly Barangay in Camarines Norte

by Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, October 27 (PIA) -- Barangay V in this municipality has notched first place in this year’s Search for mMost Child Friendly Barangay in this province with the cash prize of P100,000 and plaque of commendation during the culmination activity of the Children’s Month Celebration held at the Little Theater, provincial capitol here Tuesday, October 25.

The month-long celebration evolves with the theme “ Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) para sa Bright Child: Pakilusin, Palakasin, Pagtulungan Natin”.

Barangay Guinatungan in Basud town placed second while Cayucyucan in Mercedes was adjudged third, receiving P50,000 and P30,000 respectively. Barangay Canapawan, Labo and Barangay Pag-asa, Jose Panganiban placed fourth and fifth receiving P20,000 and P10,000 respectively. All top 5 placers also received plaque of commendation.

The sixth to eighth placer were Barangay III, Vinzons; Barangay San Ramon, San Lorenzo Ruiz and Barangay Kabuluan, Sta. Elena with a cash prize of P5,000 and plaque of recognition.

The Special Awards were given certificate of citation and P3,000 to include: Barangays Canapawan, Labo for LGU-NGO partnership for the promotion of cooperation for economic development; Pag-Asa, Jose Panganiban for espousing the principles of Katarungang Pambarangay in Handling Children; Barangay III of Vinzons for valued quality family practices in the community; San Ramon, San Lorenzo Ruiz for institutionalized resource generation strategies and Kabuluan, Sta. Elena for innovative protective and peace programs.

The Municipal Council for the Protection of Children (MCPC) of Daet also received plaque of commendation.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Communication Chief Angela Travies lauded all the barangays for exemplary implementing programs and projects for children.

LGOO V Maria Cecilia del Puerto of DILG Region V discussed “Mobilizing strengthening and working together for LCPC stressed that they take the lead in the organization of LCPC in order to create an enabling environment for children.

She added that they are moving forward for the regular and intensified conduct of LCPC activities, inclusion of LCPC in the local development plan, meaningful engagement to programs for children, recognizing LCPC practices and transforming local chief executives to LCPC champions.

The search is in its 8th year which aims to encouraged barangays to institutionalized programs on service delivery specifically in child health, maternal health, education, child protection, child participation and family practices; and institution building (MAL/RBM/PIA Camarines Norte)