Ormoc City, Sta. Margarita as Finalists for Presidential Awards for Child-friendly LGUs 2015
(Tacloban City) — Seventy-five Local Government Units (LGUs) in Region Eight have qualified for the Child-Friendly Local Governance Seal for the year 2015, while 50 LGUs in this region became eligible for said Seal in 2014.
These LGUs were presented with certificates of the Child-friendly Local Governance Seal by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) through the member-agencies of the Regional Subcommittee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC), an attached agency of DSWD.
DSWD OIC-Regional Director Restituto Macuto (RBM), in his message, expressed his praise for the growing number of municipalities which have qualified as child-friendly municipalities in a period of one year. RBM further proudly announced that Region VIII has two municipalities which have been nominated as finalists in the Presidential Awards for the Child-friendly Municipalities and Cities in 2015, and these are Sta. Margarita, Samar (for 4th to 6th class category) and Ormoc City for Independent Component City category. RBM expressed his hope and encouraged everyone to pray that Region Eight’s two finalists may emerge as winners.
In the spirit of celebrating child-friendly and child-sensitive governance, RD Macuto said: “Nasa inyong mga kamay ang kapangyarihan kung paano natin ipadaloy ng tuloy tuloy ng tama at maayos ang ating mga programa for the welfare of the children.” RBM further shared (to the group) that which DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman imparted: The use of power should be grace-filled and graceful.
The following LGUS were awarded with certificates of the Seal for the Child-Friendly Local Governance for 2014, 2015, or for both years: From the province of Biliran – Almeria (2015), Cabucgayan (2014 and 2015), Kawayan (2015), Culaba (2014), Naval (2014) and Maripipi (2014 and 2015). From the province of Leyte – Abuyog (2014 and 2015), Alang-Alang, Albuera (2014 and 2015), Babatngon (2015), Barugo (2014 and 2015), Baybay City (2015), Burauen (2015), Calubian (2014), Hindang (2015), Hilongos (2015), Jaro (2014 and 2015), Javier (2015), Julita (2015), La Paz (2015), Leyte (2014 and 2015), MacArthur (2015), Mahaplag (2014), Mayorga (2015), Merida (2015), Ormoc City (2015), San Miguel (2015), Sta. Fe (2015), Tabango (2015), Tabon Tabon (2015), Tacloban City (2014 and 2015), Tunga (2015), Inopacan (2014) and Villaba (2015). From Southern Leyte – Anahawan (2014 and 2015), Bontoc (2014 and 2015), Hinunangan (2015), Libagon (2014 and 2015), Liloan (2014 and 2015), Limasawa (2014 and 2015), Maasin City (2014 and 2015), Macrohon (2014 and 2015), Malitbog (2014 and 2015), Padre Burgos (2014 and 2015), Pintuyan (2014 and 2015), Saint Bernard (2014 and 2015), San Francisco (2015), San Juan (2015), Silago (2014 and 2015), Sogod (2014 and 2015), San Ricardo (2014), Hinundayan (2014) and Tomas Oppus (2015). From Eastern Samar –Borongan City (2014 and 2015), Can-avid (2014), Taga-pul-an (2014), Hernani (2015), and Taft (2014). From Western Samar – Almagro (2015), Calbayog City (2014 and 2015), Calbiga (2014 and 2015), Catbalogan City (2014 and 2015), Daram (2015), Gandara (2015), Marabut (2014 and 2015), Matuguinao (2014), Motiong (2014 and 2015), Pinabacdao (2015), Pagsanghan (2014), San Jorge (2014 and 2015), Sta. Margarita (2014 and 2015), Sta. Rita (2014 and 2015), Tagapul-an (2015), Talalora (2015), Tarangan (2015), and Zumarraga (2015). From Norther Samar – Catarman (2014 and 2015), Laoag, Lapinig (2014 and 2015), Lavezares (2014), Mapanas (2015), Mondragon (2014 and 2015), Palapag (2015), Pambujan (2015), San Isidro (2014 and 2015), San Jose (2015), San Roque (2014 and 2015), Bobon (2014) and Catubig (2014).
This Seal of the Child-Friendly Local Governance is a recognition and audit system on the LGUs’ delivery of clear, outstanding and positive results for the children’s well-being.
The objectives for the above-mentioned Seal were the following: Institutionalize and sustain a child-friendly environment and governance, Encourage LGUs to prioritize and address issues/concerns affecting the full realization of the Rights of the children, strengthen local partnerships, and give national recognition to LGUs that have been considered and confirmed as ‘Child-friendly.
The awarding ceremony was held at Patio Victoria, San Jose, this city, on Wednesday, February 24, 2015, with 5 mayors in attendance, a vice mayor, an SB Member 22 MSWDOs, 6 LGU Staffs and MLGOOs.
The affair was also witnessed by other RSCWC members namely the National Nutrition Council Region VIII represented by the Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Dr. Catalino Dotollo Jr.; PCSupt Cedrick Train of PNP R08; Ms. Meliza Bacolbas, in behalf of NEDA ROVIII; Sarah Padilla in behalf of DOJPPA; Ms. Wilma Matutina in behalf DOH O8; Ms. Vivian Baldezanso of World Vision; Mr. Francis Rosaroco in behalf of DA RO8; Ms. Lea Lace in behalf of the SOS Village; PSWDO Zenaida BOBO in behalf of Province of Leyte and the RSCWC Child Representative Mae Joy Paragatos.
The Council for the Welfare of the Children (CWC) established the search for the Seal for Child-friendly Local Governance in the year 2013 with the aim of encouraging every municipality and City in the country to be more functional in all child-related programs and activities, and to be child-friendly localities. ###