Taguig gets child-friendly local governance seal

MANILA, Philippines – Taguig City has bested other cities in Metro Manila, getting recognition for its child-friendly local governance from the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) for this year.

The recognition was given during the CWC’s awarding ceremony held in Mandaluyong City on Jan. 22.

Taguig City ranked as the top local government unit (LGU) in Metro Manila in protecting children’s rights through its various programs for two consecutive years.

The child-friendly local governance seal is given to LGUs in recognition of their programs that uphold the welfare of children.

“I commend our social workers, doctors down to the health volunteers, policemen and barangay leaders for protecting children. Our children’s rights to healthcare and education are top priorities in Taguig,” Mayor Lani Cayetano said.

Among the city’s programs for the youth is the Lifeline Assistance for Neighbors In-Need scholarship aimed at helping poor but deserving students.

The program has assisted 30,000 scholars since 2011, Cayetano said.

In the health sector, the city health office has initiated programs to protect infants from diseases.

“To keep the children healthy, we need to protect and educate the mothers. We launched ‘Buntis’ Congress to promote safe motherhood and encouraged breastfeeding, immunization and family planning,” city health office head Dr. Isaias Ramos said.

Last year, the city-run Taguig Pateros District Hospital bagged the “baby-friendly hospital” seal after it passed the standards set by the Department of Health. The hospital has its own milk bank.

The Taguig City government also scored high in the fight against malnutrition, having won the Green Banner award for two straight years.

Other programs that prioritize children’s healthcare are the free HIV test and Service Delivery Network, which refers patients from health centers to hospitals and foundations that can finance chemotherapy and other treatments.