DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines (PIA) — The Negros Oriental Council for the Welfare of Children (PCWC) will validate the provincial entries for the Presidential Search for Child-Friendly local government units (LGUs) next week.

Apart from the criteria, the council would also look into the functionality of the barangay council for the protection of children (BCPC) in the local level.

Child development programs implemented by LGUs will also be validated by PCWC members representing from government agencies and a non-government organization.

Provincial Social Welfare & Development Officer (PSWDO) Alice Lagarde said some of the functional BCPCs may be found established in the LGUs that were recipients of the Early Childhood Care for Development (ECCD) program.

The search, now on its 19th year, continues to advocate children’s rights and activate the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC), said Lagarde.

The evaluators may also review the implementation of the program and its ECCD centers, health and nutrition of the children, and local ordinances essential for the children.

The search for Child-Friendly LGUs supports the Philippine Strategic Framework for Plan Development for Children, otherwise known as Child 21.

Along with ECCD which provides for the implementation of an integrated early childhood care and institutionalize a national system for ECCD that is comprehensive, integrative, sustainable and that involves multi-sectoral and interagency collaboration at all levels.