The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) conferred the seal of the Child-Friendly
Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) award to 25 local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas with
the regional kick-off of the 31st National Children’s Month (NCM) on Wednesday.
“This audit is included in the Seal of Good Local Governance, wherein if you cannot pass, you cannot
enter the top award in local governance. The child-friendly is more on social protection,” DILG
Western Visayas Regional Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero said in an interview.
The recipients of the CFLGA seal included the towns of Anilao, Dingle, Lambunao, Oton, Pavia,
Dumangas, Concepcion, Tigbauan, Tubungan, Pototan, Santa Barbara, Igbaras, and Passi City from
Iloilo province; Buenavista and Nueva Valencia in Guimaras province; Dao, Sapian, Jamindan, and
Tapaz in Capiz; and the cities of Himamaylan, Silay, San Carlos, and La Carlota, and Hinoba-an, all in
Negros Occidental province.
During the kick-off ceremony, the DSWD and the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children
(RSCWC) introduced the Mahalin at Kalingain ang ating mga Bata (Makabata) helpline 1383, which is
expected to be operational next year.
“The Makabata helpline primarily aims to develop a mechanism that will provide quick response,
monitoring, and feedback through calls, electronic mail, and different social media platforms,” said
RSCWC regional coordinator Franz Hermocillas in his presentation.
It provides services to all children, parents, and adolescents with varied needs relating to child rights
and concerns.
Meantime, concerns and issues can be reported using the smart number 0919-3541383, globe line
0915-8022375, or by emailing makabatahelpline@cwc.gov.ph.
This year’s NCM celebration has its theme, “Healthy, nourished, sheltered: Ensuring the right to life
for all.”
Other events to highlight the celebration are the children’s congress on Nov. 24-25 and the children’s
contest with child development learners as participants on Dec. 6.
The kick-off ceremony started with the participants reciting the Hiligaynon version of the “Panatang
Makabata.” (PNA)
