For the administration of San Pedro City Mayor Art Mercado, the first year of his tenure had been marked by intensified efforts to ensure the welfare of the city’s children.
This was evidenced by the recent passing of the San Pedro LGU at the 2022 Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA), which qualifies the LGU for the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance (SCFLG).
“Ito po ang ikaanim na pagkakataon na natanggap natin ito, pero this is the first under Mayor Art’s tenure,” Fatima Autor, head of the San Pedro City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), said in an interview with OpinYon Laguna.
Achievements
According to Autor, one of the most significant factors of the LGU passing the CFLGA is the reports of achievements of the various programs conducted not only by the CSWDO but also of other local departments as well.
“Ang isang tinitingnan din doon ay yung sa akin yung apat na Karapatan: Kaparatan ng batang mabuhay, karapatan makapag-aral, karapatan makihalubilo, makita yung karapatan bilang isang bata at higit sa lahat yung karapatan ng batang mabigyan ng proteksyon,” the CSWDO head explained.
“Halimbawa na lang dito ay ilan na ang mga batang 3 years old na enrolled sa ating day care center, kung sila ba ay napapangalagaan, nagkakaroon ba sila ng checkup, magkano ang budget na inilalaan ng city government para sa mga batang ito. Malaki rin ang inilalaan na pondo ng city government ibig sabihin priority sa programa ng administrasyon ng city government ay ang welfare ng ating mga bata,” she noted.
Autor also cited reports from the national Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) citing the local CSWDO’s supplemental feeding programs as one of the best in Laguna province.
“Bukod po kasi sa pondo na pino-provide ng national government ay mayroon din pong sariling pondo ang ating City Health Office (CHO) para sa ating mga programa para sa malnourished children. At we’re happy to say na napo-proseso po natin with transparency ang mga pondo,” she added.
Another program of the CSWDO involves the rehabilitation of children rescued from abuse or neglect, which ensures that they can recover from their trauma and lead normal lives.
“Despite the reported cases ng abuse na di naman nawawala, ay ating natutugunan at natutuwa kami dahil nailalagay namin sila, napo-proseso namin sila na magkaroon ng psychiatric intervention so mula doon sila ay nakababalik sa normal na pamumuhay nila. Ilang bata rin ang enrolled so ang DepEd [Department of Education] ay kaisa namin at mga private schools na ilan din enrolled sa kanila na nasusubaybayan talaga. Ibig sabihin don ang point don wala nang batang naiiwan sa bahay na hindi nakakapag-aral,” Autor explained.
Help from NGOs
In order to continue the city government’s far-reaching programs for its youth, it has also tapped the help of non-government organizations (NGOs) and the private sector in fund-raising activities, Autor added.
One such activity, the “Alay-Lakad” that was spearheaded by the San Pedro City LGU and civic organizations such as the Rotary Club of Metro San Pedro last November 18, raised a total of P2.5 million that will be earmarked for education programs in the city.
“Ang pondo po na ating nalilikom mula sa Alay-Lakad ay [inilalagak sa] Treasury Department, tapos yun pong mga beneficiaries noon, nasusubaybayan po talaga natin hanggang sa matapos sila ng kolehiyo. Sa katunayan po ay may mga Alay-Lakad scholars na tayo na may maayos nang trabaho, so iyan po ang pruweba na pinaglalaanan ng city government, CSWDO at ng iba pa nating mga department ang magandang kinabukasan ng ating mga bata,” she said.
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