Ormoc City to vie for child-friendly city presidential award

ORMOC CITY , Philippines  — The administration of Mayor Eric Codilla is now preparing to bid for the child-friendly city award in Eastern Visayas.

This was decided during the meeting of the City Council's social welfare and development committee, chaired by Councilor Lea Doris Villar.

In its self-assessment, Villar said the city is qualified to be a nominee in the regional level, citing the existing ordinance "promoting and protecting children's rights to survival, development, protection and participation in the local governance and community."

The city also has implemented various plans, program and projects for the welfare of children, Villar said as she noted that what is needed now is collating of data from various city and national offices, and non-government organizations, she said.

The Presidential Award specifically aims to "encourage LGUs to prioritize and address issues and concerns for the rights of children; to monitor, evaluate and document programs, projects and services directly benefiting children; and strengthen local partnership, and give national recognition to cities and towns confirmed as child-friendly."

City social welfare officer Marietta Legaspi said those LGUs to be awarded in the region on April 2011 by categories will be finalists in the national level.

DILG-Ormoc director Jesus Horca and DepEd-Ormoc superintendent Alice de Loyola, among others attended also the meeting.