Legazpi City, Philippines - The Department of the Interior and Local Government in Bicol (DILG-5) has recognized 27 local government units (LGUs) in the Bicol region as among the most child-friendly places in the country, based on the 2022 Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA).
According to Philippines News Agency, The list includes nine LGUs in the province of Sorsogon, eight in Albay, five in Camarines Sur, four in Masbate, and one in Camarines Norte. Sorsogon City achieved the highest passing rate in the region at 97 percent, followed by the municipality of Pio V. Corpuz in Masbate at 95.43 percent, and Masbate City at 94.13 percent. The CFLGA evaluates LGUs based on their delivery of social services and programs that promote children's welfare and well-being, and all passers are eligible for the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance (SCFLG) awarded by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) Board.
Daraga Mayor Carlywn Baldo expressed gratitude for the recognition, crediting the local departments' efforts in ensuring the protection, development, and well-being of children. Mayor Baldo vowed to sustain these gains with more child-focused policies, programs, and services. Similarly, Polangui Mayor Adrian Salceda celebrated the town's ranking as first in Albay and fifth in the entire region. The CFLGA audit is an annual mandatory assessment instrument that measures LGUs' performance in five indicators under the core rights of children: survival, development, protection, participation, and governance. In 2022, the CWC Board conferred the SCFLG to 782 LGUs, a significant increase from the 372 conferees in 2021.