Training on strengthening of local councils for protection of children kicks off

ILOILO CITY, Aug. 7 (PNA)-– A three-day seminar aimed at strengthening of local councils for the protection of children organized by the city government here and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) kicked off Wednesday at the Iloilo Grand Hotel.

City DILG director Helen Mestidio said participants were from the five barangays of the city to include Barangays Quintin Salas, Jaro; Jereos, La Paz; Calumpang, Molo; Pala-pala I, City Proper and Sto. Niño Norte, Arevalo.

“We hope to share with barangay officials important factors on how to strengthen their respective BCPCs so that it would soon be fully-functional and very visible in all barangays,” Mestidio said.

The seminar will focus on the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Program and components of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC), existing laws on children, child friendly movement, and role of the inter-agency monitoring task force.

Mestidoo added that the activity is part of the (ECCD) Program which is being advocated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The activity is also in response to the call of the DILG to have active councils that would look into the welfare of children in every barangay.

Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas expressed his full support for the creation of BCPCs in the city's 180 barangays.

He said that its existence will give the youth a haven from all injustices done to them and could also be an instrument for their active participation in their respective communities. (PNA)