The Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) recently conducted the 2023 Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) Reorientation for the Performance Year 2022 on January 10, 2024. The initiative aimed to refresh the members of the Regional, City, and Municipal Inter-Agency Monitoring Task Force (IMTF) members on the assessment processes and the Knowledge Management System pivotal for its execution.

The Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit is conducted annually to assess the performance of cities and municipalities in implementing child-friendly policies, programs, projects, and activities. The assessment encompasses five indicators: survival, development, protection, participation, and governance.

During the online session, LGOO VI Charizza A. Laccay discussed the assessment areas, indicators, passing rate, audit year coverage, and the timeline of activities.

As part of the reorientation, Mr. Kevin Louise Pua from the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) delved into the intricacies of the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit Knowledge Management System (SCFLG KMS). The automation of this system facilitates the use of assessment-derived data for policy planning, service development, and ongoing monitoring.

The CFLGA’s outcome significantly influences LGUs’ eligibility for prestigious awards such as the Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Cities and Municipalities and the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG).
In his closing remarks, LGOO VII Raymond Gerard E. De Asis expressed gratitude to attendees and resource persons for contributing to a productive and enlightening meeting. He underscored the vital role of LGUs in safeguarding children and assured continuous national government support.

“Malaki po talaga ang role ng ating mga Local Government Units in promoting the protection and welfare of children, and of course, the national government is always here to provide the support that the LGUs need. Through the CFLGA, we’ll be able to identify the gaps and the challenges that you are facing; and of course, we would like to recognize as well the areas in which the LGUs are performing well,” he concluded.

Joint efforts by the DILG and the CWC have paved the way for the CFLGA’s launch and development since 2014. This annual mandatory audit serves as a vital tool to gauge LGUs’ performance in implementing programs and measures to enhance children’s welfare.