KALIBO, Aklan – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Aklan finally approved the draft ordinance on children on Thursday morning.

Being the principal author of the Aklan Children’s Code, SP Member Daisy Sucro-Briones lauded the passage of the ordinance on its third reading that will ensure the protection of children against all forms of abuse and exploitation and improve the quality of life of Aklanon children, to develop their potentials and participate in community life and nation building.

The Aklan Children’s Code is one of the landmark ordinances ratified by the legislative council under the leadership of presiding officer and Aklan Vice Gov. Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo.

Three other ordinances on environment, investments and incentives and tourism were also approved by the Aklan SP.

Under the ordinance, the province of Aklan has committed to the implementation of the Early Childhood Development and has created the Council for the Protection of Children to implement programs and projects for children.

Once signed into an ordinance, a comprehensive program for children will be formulated by the province and its municipalities for at least a three-year period for the protection, prevention and rehabilitation programs for children.

Other proactive programs for children are parenting orientation courses, health care, recreational and cultural programs and children’s month and children’s day celebration.

A Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC) chaired by Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez and a Desk for Children’s Concerns under the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development are established for the implementation of the Aklan Children’s Code.

The province of Aklan is also encouraged to establish a 24-hour residential care for Children in Conflict with the Law and Crisis Intervention Center for abused children.

The code was unanimously approved and ratified following a plenary debate on some amendments introduced by Briones regarding the position of a local Internet café on the control on children’s exposure to Internet cafés.

Briones, however, withdrew her motion for reconsideration and batted for the ratification of the proposed Children’s Code in the final and third reading during the 42nd regular session.