CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC) approved the programming of some P21,126,922 for the children of Pampanga during the council meeting held Friday at the Executive House, Capitol building.
It was learned that more than P5 million of the total budget was allotted for the provision of financial aid, food and non-food assistance to children in crisis situation, including children patient in women and child protection unit (WCPU) and indigent children needing immediate assistance; school-based immunization; dental outreach program; mobile library and literacy service; program for malnourished children; and installation of Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention Network (CAPIN) Rescue Unit.
The council also allocated P12 million for the construction or renovation of recreational activities for children in the community, construction of child development centers in five barangays and a temporary and safe shelter for Aetas enrolled in Don Honorio Ventura Technological University (DHVTSU) Porac campus.
Other programs funded are the conduct of community orientation on child’s rights and protection services to parents and guardians; and training, seminars and forums for stakeholders and service providers.
The local council also allotted funds for advocacy campaigns and special events amounting to P1, 420,000.
According to Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Elizabeth Baybayan, PCPC serves as the parent for the children of Pampanga and its main subject of concern is to secure the four basic rights of children namely, the right to survival which includes health and nutrition; right to development that provides quality education for the children; right to protection which prevents any form of abuse; and participation rights that give the children the privilege to be part of nation-building.
The creation of PCPC is mandated by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in order to strengthen the implementation of programs and projects ensuring the protection of children’s rights.
The meeting was led by Provincial Administrator Atty. Andres S. Pangilinan Jr, and was joined by Committee Chairperson on Family and Women Board Member Cherry Manalo, Capitol department heads and representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), academe, non-government agencies and faith-based organizations.
LIEZEL CAYANAN
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