Koronadal City’s Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) received commendations during the provincial assessment conducted by the Provincial Inter-agency Monitoring Task Force on April 2 at the City Hall.
The LCPC was evaluated in four key areas with a total of 20 indicators. If successful, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Koronadal could attain a ‘mature’ responsive rating in child-related governance. One of the highlights noted by the evaluators was the city’s 2024 State of the Children Address. They emphasized that Koronadal was the only LGU in South Cotabato to hold such an event on a dedicated day, demonstrating the administration’s prioritization of children’s welfare.
Additionally, the LCPC achieved a perfect score in advocacy, with evaluators acknowledging the 100% implementation of youth-related programs. While the initial target was 39 initiatives, the LGU successfully implemented over 40 programs and projects in 2024. The evaluators also praised the city’s allocation of PHP 40 million for child-focused initiatives, exceeding the legally mandated 1% budget allocation for youth programs.
Despite these achievements, the assessment team provided recommendations for further improvement. These include enhancing documentation, organizing case logbooks, strengthening the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC), and providing capacity-building programs for its members.
Koronadal’s commitment to child welfare continues to set a benchmark in the province, reflecting its dedication to ensuring a safe and supportive environment for its youth.