The City Government of Dapitan tops the Most Outstanding Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) in the entire province of Zamboanga del Norte announced after the State of the Children Address of Governor Rosalina “Nanay Nene” Jalosjos on November 27, 2024.
City Government of Dapitan garnered 99% passing rate of this year’s most outstanding LCPC based on the audit conducted by the Department of Interior Local Government Field Office. This years’ awardees also include Municipality of Roxas with 93% passing rate, Municipality of Rizal at 95%, Municipality of Polanco at 95%, Municipality of Piñan at 95%, Municipality of Mutia at 96%, City of Dipolog at 97% rate.
Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) is an organization that advocates for children’s rights and implements programs to make communities child-friendly. LCPCs are established at the local level, including the provincial, city, municipal, and barangay levels. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) facilitates the organization of LCPCs and monitors their functionality.
The Local Council on Protection of Children (LCPC) is periodically assessed to determine its functionality and level of accomplishment. The audit process includes (1) Monitoring where the council is regularly monitored using reporting forms. The BCPC completes form 001, the MCPC/CCPC completes form 002, and the PCPC completes form 003. Next, a Program assessment led by a DILG field officer will be conducted at the end of each semester. The scoring is based on a grading scheme that considers organization, regular meetings, availability of policies and plans, and accomplishment. The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s National Barangay Operations Office (DILG-NBOO) issues an advisory to share the results with the Regional IMTF and RC/SCWCs. The Regional IMTF (Integrated Municipal Training and Feedback) and Regional Committees and Sub-Committees for the Welfare of Children (RC/SCWCs) will then disseminate the results to the Provincial IMTFs. After which, Provincial IMTF informs the C/MLGUs of the results and identifies areas for technical assistance.
The LCPC, guided by laws such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Philippine National Strategic Framework for Children, is a key component of the Philippines’ child protection system. Its functions include the formulating a plan of action for children, addressing issues and concerns affecting children and youth, and advocating for the passage of relevant child and youth protection ordinances.
Receiving the award for Dapitan is Ms. Marilyn Sy, the City Social Welfare Development Office representing Mayor Bullet Jalosjos. The awarding ceremony was graced by the presence of Governor Rosalina “Nanay Nene” Jalosjos, Board Member Jasmin Pinsoy-Lagutin of 2nd District, Mr. Levy H. Lagutin, Acting Provincial Administrator and Mr. Alex Z. Sabal, the Officer in Charge of the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office. (Angelica T. Obina)
(Source: Provincial Information Center-Zanorte) photo courtesy by Mark G. Potot