Bangsamoro Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children - RSCWC BARMM

MANILA, Philippines — A child protection section under the Office of the President has been set up as the country saw an increase in the number of Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) cases.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) No. 67 on August 6, creating the Presidential Office for Child Protection (POCP) to “ensure a whole-of-nation approach in strengthening existing institutional and legal framework on child protection.”

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄:

Child protection office created in PH amid rise in online abuse cases MANILA, Philippines — A child protection section under the Office of the President has been set up as the country saw an increase in the number of Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆: 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 (𝗖𝗥𝗦𝗔) 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲

The Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children - RSCWC BARMM, chaired by the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), recently provided technical assistance to the Provincial Government of Maguindanao del Norte in organizing a 3-day Children’s General Assembly focused on the Development of the Child Rights Situational Analysis (CRSA) on 16 -18 July 2024, in Koronadal City.

Supported by the Korean Government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in partnership with UNICEF Philippines, this initiative brought together twenty-four (24) bright young minds and a dedicated child facilitator, along with their adult companions from the twelve (12) municipalities in Maguindanao del Norte.

The discussions were insightful and enriching, with key focus areas including:

𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The assembly began with comprehensive sessions on Child Rights, emphasizing the importance of children's voices in matters that affect their lives and the mechanisms in place to ensure their protection.

𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀
Facilitators introduced an engaging visual map activity, where children envisioned themselves in various locations and reflected on the happenings there. Using sticky notes, they identified key priority issues with the Thermos-Scale, highlighting the severity of each concern. A 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 followed, where children used clay to create their ideal communities and brainstormed ways to achieve that vision.

𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽: “𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 (3) 𝗛” (𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱, 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱)
Children explored effective problem-solving techniques, identifying who could help, why it was important, and what actions could be taken to address each issue.

At the conclusion of the consultation, children shared their key takeaways, insights, opinions, and assessments of the activities.

𝗢𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
1. Provide a platform for children to openly discuss their interests, issues, and concerns.
2. Collect fresh perspectives, ideas, and relevant information about the situation of children in province.
3. Utilize the consultation’s output in formulating the Child Situational Analysis for Children (CRSA) of Maguindanao del Norte, which will serve as a foundational resource in developing the Four Legacies for Children to promote the welfare and interests of Bangsamoro children in the Maguindanao del Norte.

The Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) and the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee (RJJWC), chaired by the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), convened their first joint meeting on the 18th day of June 2024, in Cotabato City.

The meeting, presided over by RSCWC and RJJWC Chairperson and MSSD Minister Atty. Raissa H. Jajurie, focused on several pivotal agenda items aimed at advancing child welfare and protection in the Bangsamoro region:

1. 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 (𝗥𝗣𝗔𝗖), aimed at enhancing the welfare and safeguarding of children across the region.

2. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁 – 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 (𝗖𝗦𝗔𝗖 – 𝗧𝗪𝗚) tasked with developing guidelines and protocols for managing CSAC cases in the region.

3. 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 (𝗩𝗔𝗖), 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘄 (𝗖𝗜𝗖𝗟), 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 (𝗖𝗔𝗥) at the provincial level.

4. 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 (𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗧𝗙) 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱-𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁 (𝗖𝗙𝗟𝗚𝗔).

5. 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗦𝗖𝗪𝗖 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗝𝗝𝗪𝗖 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

6. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 by both committees.

These initiatives underscore our unwavering dedication to promoting the welfare and ensuring the protection of children throughout the region.

𝗪𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚! 📣

The Council for the Welfare of Children is the focal inter-agency body of the Philippine Government for children. It is mandated to coordinate the implementation and enforcement of all laws; and formulate, monitor, and evaluate policies, programs, and measures for children.

We're searching for innovative and dynamic people to join our growing team.

Interested and qualified applicants are encouraged to visit the CWC Recruitment Portal (https://bit.ly/CWCRecruitmentPortal) and follow the application procedure. Incomplete documents upon submission will not be entertained or processed.

The deadline for submission of the application is 𝟭𝟲 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱-𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗟𝗖𝗣𝗖 𝗖𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻

Continuing the initiative to strengthen child governance in the Bangsamoro region, the Bangsamoro Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children - RSCWC BARMM, in partnership with UNICEF Philippines, successfully organized a three-day Rollout Capability Building on Child-Friendly Local Governance from May 27-31, 2024, in General Santos City.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 (𝗟𝗗𝗣𝗖), 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 (𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗖), 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 (𝗟𝗖𝗖), 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 (𝗟𝗦𝗖𝗥). These plans are essential for assessing LCPC functionality and the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA).

LCPC members from Cotabato City received training to mainstream and localize these critical plans effectively, integrating them into their local governance frameworks to ensure better outcomes for children's welfare.

Additionally, representatives from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) of Lanao del Sur attended the sessions as observers. Their participation marks a preparatory step, as LCPC in the province will be the next focus of this capacity-building initiative.

Key discussions covered UNCRC Child Rights in the global, national, and BARMM contexts, LCPC functionality, the Child Rights Situational Analysis, and the Four Legacies for Children.

The training received technical support from the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), the Office of the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (OPPDC) – Maguindanao del Sur, and UNICEF Philippines.

Supported by the Korean Government and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), this initiative is part of the program "Strengthening Peace-Building through Strengthening Essential Social Services for Vulnerable Children and Adolescents in Maguindanao and Cotabato City, BARMM."

𝖲𝗍𝖺𝗒 𝗍𝗎𝗇𝖾𝖽 𝖺𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗂𝗇𝗂𝗍𝗂𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝖾𝗑𝗍𝖾𝗇𝖽𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖫𝖢𝖯𝖢 𝗈𝖿 𝖫𝖺𝗇𝖺𝗈 𝖽𝖾𝗅 𝖲𝗎𝗋. 𝖥𝗈𝗅𝗅𝗈𝗐 𝗎𝗌 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗎𝗉𝖽𝖺𝗍𝖾𝗌 𝗈𝗇 𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝖾𝖿𝖿𝗈𝗋𝗍𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖾𝗆𝗉𝗈𝗐𝖾𝗋 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝗎𝗇𝗂𝗍𝗂𝖾𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖾𝗇𝗀𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝖼𝗁𝗂𝗅𝖽-𝖿𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗇𝖽𝗅𝗒 𝗀𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗇𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝗂𝗇 𝖡𝖠𝖱𝖬𝖬.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱-𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻

The Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children - RSCWC in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), in partnership with UNICEF Philippines, successfully organized a three-day Rollout Capability Building on Child-Friendly Local Governance from May 14-16, 2024, in General Santos City.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 (𝗟𝗗𝗣𝗖), 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 (𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗖), 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 (𝗟𝗖𝗖), 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 (𝗟𝗦𝗖𝗥).

The activity aimed to enhance the capacity and knowledge of LCPC members from Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur to mainstream and localize the Regional Plan of Action for Children (RPAC). These plans are integral indicators for evaluating LCPC Functionality and the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA).

Key discussions covered Child Rights in the Global, National, and BARMM Contexts, the Child Rights Situational Analysis, and the Four Legacies for Children.

The training program was facilitated with technical support from the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), Office of the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (OPPDC) - Maguindanao del Sur, Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) - Maguindanao del Norte and UNICEF Philippines.

This initiative, supported by the Korean Government and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is part of the collaborative program “Strengthening Peace-Building through Strengthening Essential Social Services for Vulnerable Children and Adolescents in Maguindanao and Cotabato City, BARMM.”

𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝘾𝙋𝘾 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙤𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙤 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙈𝙖𝙮 27-31, 2024. 𝙆𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙪𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙪𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙-𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝘽𝘼𝙍𝙈𝙈.

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄'𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆

The Bangsamoro Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children - RSCWC BARMM, in collaboration with UNICEF Philippines, recently organized a Capacity Building on Participation for Child Representatives of the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) from April 27 to 30, 2024, in Koronadal City.

A total of twenty-eight (28) enthusiastic child representatives from various municipalities across Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and City of Cotabato actively engaged in this training workshop. The primary objective was to empower these young leaders and enhance their skills in advocating for participation within their communities.

This initiative aligns with the partnership of the Korean Government, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), titled "Supporting Peacebuilding through Strengthening Essential Services for Vulnerable Children and Adolescents in the provinces of Maguindanao and Cotabato City, BARMM."

Kudos to the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), and UNICEF Philippines for their unwavering dedication and support in fostering meaningful participation and empowering our future leaders. Together, we are creating a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow for our Bangsamoro children.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗯-𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 - 𝗥𝗦𝗖𝗪𝗖 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗠 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻

Selected members of the RSCWC BARMM and representatives from the Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPCs) of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Cotabato City, with support from UNICEF Philippines, participated in the 3-day Capacity Building on Four Legacies for Children from April 23 to 25, 2024, in Davao City.

Facilitated by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), this activity aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge of RSCWC BARMM in providing technical assistance for mainstreaming and localizing the Regional Plan of Action for Children (RPAC) through the essential components of the Four Legacies for Children: the Local Development Plan for Children (LDPC), the Local Investment Plan for Children (LIPC), the Local Code for Children (LCC), and the Local State of the Children's Report (LSCR). With expertise honed in these areas, the RSCWC BARMM is equipped to effectively implement and advocate for children's rights across the region.

Stay tuned for more updates as this initiative expands across the provinces of BARMM, marking a significant step towards ensuring the holistic well-being and protection of children throughout the region. Together, we are creating a brighter future for our Bangsamoro children.

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀

Twenty-six (26) municipal and provincial Social Welfare Officers (SWOs) representing the province of Maguindanao del Sur have successfully completed a rigorous 4-day Training of Trainers (TOT) program focused on Child Protection Minimum Standards (CPMS) and Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE). The training, held from March 5th to 8th in General Santos City, aimed to enhance the skills and competencies of SWOs in safeguarding the welfare of Bangsamoro children, especially in times of crises.

The coaching and mentoring sessions provided during the training were aligned with the goals of the Bangsamoro Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children - RSCWC BARMM, the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), and UNICEF Philippines. The initiative, supported by the Korean Government and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is part of the collaborative program "Strengthening Peace-building through Strengthening Essential Social Services for Vulnerable Children and Adolescents in Maguindanao and Cotabato City, BARMM."

The training program, facilitated with technical contributions from the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), equipped SWOs with essential knowledge and skills to integrate the Child Protection lens into all aspects of emergency response and humanitarian assistance. Participants gained insights into identifying strategies and implementing best practices to address the unique needs of children during crises.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this training," expressed Ms. Heraton A. Alang, a Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) focal of Maguindanao del Sur. "The program has provided us with valuable tools and resources to better serve and protect the children of Bangsamoro communities, especially in times of adversity."

The successful completion of the TOT program marks a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen child protection mechanisms in the Bangsamoro region. As SWOs return to their respective communities, they are poised to play a pivotal role in building resilient and inclusive environments where every child can thrive.

"Together, we are working towards a future where children in the Bangsamoro region are safe, protected, and empowered," affirmed Ms. Ommayma Dalig, a Social Welfare Officer III. "Through collaborative efforts and continued dedication, we will create a brighter tomorrow for our children."

For more information about child protection initiatives in the Bangsamoro region, please contact the Bangsamoro Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children - RSCWC BARMM, Ministry of Social Services and Development, or visit the UNICEF Philippines website.