Flaws, accomplishments of programs for children bared

CEBU, Philippines – The Free Legal Assistance Volunteers Association yesterday pointed out two areas that need to be improved as far as the role of the barangay is concerned in protecting the welfare and right of children.

These areas include lack of documentation of the activities implemented by the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children and insufficient data on children at the barangay level.

Free LAVA is part of the team tasked by the Cebu City Commission for the Welfare and Protection of Children to monitor the activities of barangays in the city in upholding the rights and welfare of children.

Free LAVA said most barangays have “vague Work and Financial Plan,” such that the plan that they submit to the commission reportedly do not specify the activities or projects they want to implement, which resulted to “hanging” budgetary allocations.

Free LAVA also said that there have been insufficient records of essential factors in the monitoring and assessing BCPC activities, lack of coordination between the barangay council and Sangguniang Kabataan, and that only a few resolutions or ordinances for the protection of children have reportedly been passed.

The assessment represented four months of monitoring and was presented to the barangay officials of the city’s north district during yesterday’s Legislative Assembly at the Sarrosa Hotel. Another presentation will be made to barangays of the south district today.

The assessment is being conducted yearly to evaluate each barangay’s BCPC functionality.

Aside from the areas that need improvement, Free LAVA also noted several accomplishments by the barangays here like the creation of the Barangay Children’s Welfare Code and the establishment of a “Holding Center” for minor offenders in some barangays.

Free LAVA said some barangays also passed a barangay ordinance on children’s protection and participation policy and adapted, through resolutions, the implementation of the city ordinance on curfew of minors and regulation of internet cafés.

Some barangays also fully and appropriately utilized their resources for programs for children like the one percent from their Internal Revenue Allotments, five percent from the Gender and Development budget, and 10 percent from the SK budget.

Free LAVA also noted some “best practices” of barangays, including the construction and maintenance of community infrastructures like children’s playground and barangay information reading center, SK’s active and meaningful participation, and utilization of mini buses to send children to schools. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JMO    (FREEMAN NEWS)