Strengthening Child Protection System in the barangays is one of the steps towards developing and contributing to their full potential. Barangays of the communities are the first ones that a child connects with, besides their family. Thus, it plays a vital role in the empowerment and fulfillment of children’s rights.
As part of the Child Protection, Good Neighbors Philippines supported the Barangays in Gigmoto CDP, namely San Pedro, Biong, Sicmil, and Sioron through the conduct of Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) Functionality Training.
This is in partnership with the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation (HLAF) and Consuelo Foundation Through Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention Network (CAPIN) – Intra CAPIN Meeting. We served as the mentors and speakers. Gigmoto CDP Field Manager, Cecilio Hagos, facilitated the discussion for the topic Identification of Child and Gender-Sensitive Programs and Activities during the BCPC Functionality Training.
“It is important that in developing the programs for the BCPC plan, the issues and needs of children are addressed in accordance with their age, gender, and the situation in the community to which they belong,” said Cecilio Hagos, Field Manager, Gigmoto CPD.
(“Mahalaga na sa paggawa ng mga programa sa BCPC plan, nabibigyang tugon ang mga isyu at pangangailangan ng mga bata na naaayon sa kanilang edad,kasarian at sitwasyon sa komunidad na kanilang kinabibilangan.”)
To ensure that each barangay is supported and empowered, the next steps towards are online consultation on drafting the ordinance, BCPC Kamustahan, organizing BCPC Federation in Gigmoto in partnership with Municipal Social Welfare and Development, and HLAF, and coaching and mentoring session with BCPC members.
Topics discussed were local plans and mainstreaming, allocating and providing budget in plotted programs and activities, policy-making and process in crafting an ordinance, and networking and resource mobilization. The following topics are crucial in providing support and the right protection for children and youth.
