The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has enacted a landmark law in Pampanga as it recently passed the provincial code for the welfare of children.
Authored by Board Member Trina Dizon, SP committee chair on women and family, the code is contained in Provincial Ordinance No. 547 series of 2012, or the Comprehensive Welfare Code for the Children of the Province of Pampanga and was passed by the provincial board last March 5.
Dizon said the much-awaited code sets the policies and directions of the provincial government in the planning and implementation of programs, projects and activities geared towards the promotion and protection of children’s welfare and development in the province.
The children’s code was launched by the provincial government at the same time as the launching of the Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention Network (CAPIN), manual of protocol for the management of child abuse cases and women and children protection units in provincial and district hospitals of the province.
The provincial lawmaker explained that the code contains six substantive articles which include the implementing mechanisms, survival and development rights, protection rights, participation rights and other salient provisions for the welfare and development of children.
Under the code, the province will institutionalize a consultative body with the chief provincial executive at the helm for planning and implementation of children-related programs.
Governor Lilia G. Pineda said that programs for children’s welfare and development should take priority over other concerns as the provincial government is committed to uphold the basic rights of children and make sure that they are safeguarded from all forms of abuses and cruelty.
The chief provincial executive called on barangay officials who are the frontliners of the government in public service to ensure that children are protected and safe in their respective communities.
She likewise enjoined the health workers, teachers, police officers and other workers to actively support the government’s programs for children and altogether make Pampanga a better place for children to live.
Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Florita Villar said that the enacted code is definitely a very important gift of the provincial government to the Kapampangan children.
“It is the first gift we should give to our children and it would definitely address child abuse.”
She enjoined officials and front liners from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Education (DepEd) to continuously work together and ensure the promotion and protection of children in the province.
Villar especially acknowledged Governor Lilia G. Pineda’s overwhelming support and commitment to ensure that Pampanga is child-friendly and that children in the province remain safe and protected.
Board Members Monina Laus, Fritzie David-Dizon, Raul Macalino, Ric Yabut, Nestor Tolentino, Tarcicio Halili and Cris Garbo, DSWD Regional Director Adelina Apostol, DILG Regional Director Florita Dijan and Provincial Head Angelina Blanco supported the program launching together with other officials of the DOH, Commission on Human Rights and DepEd.
Hundreds of police personnel, barangay health and social workers, teachers, municipal and barangay officials joined the said program launching held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center. (Erlinda T. Yutuc, Pampanga PIO)
