No child left behind. Since Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas took office, this has been her goal for the children, and until now, the City Government of Santa Rosa is still fulfilling it.
The City Government, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), conducted a three-day Capacity Building Workshop for members of the Barangay Children’s Association (BCA) at Whitewoods Convention & Leisure Hotel from August 9 to 11.
The BCA serves as the leader and voice of children in different barangays in the city. They were formed and sworn into office in 2022.
The workshop aims to strengthen and expand each BCA member’s knowledge, skills, and talents. Its other goal is to help children understand their rights, specifically in Child Participation.
According to Judith Hasil, City Social Welfare and Development Officer, the workshop is just one of the city’s efforts to inform children that their representation is relevant, especially in the management and development of programs.
Resource speakers included Roldan Perez, advocate and former Project Coordinator of Yakap in Child Education, Inc., and Bernadette Trillana, Secretariat of the Provincial Council for the Protection of Children.
They discussed the responsibilities of BCAs and their adult support in developing their respective barangays.
In the meantime, the participating youth received Child Participation Training and held meetings using Child-Friendly Parliamentary Proceedings.
In the interview with Mayor Arlene, she said the training aimed to strengthen one of the Four Pillars of Development she has been promoting since 2007.
She said that under the Pillar of Knowledge and Skills for the Youth and Women, children are given proper representation, care, and protection because she believes this indicates a progressive and prosperous city.
The Santa Rosa Mayor added that with the help of those who attended the BCA Workshop and with the guidance of CSWDO and the Local Council for the Protection of Children, she is confident that he can achieve a child-friendly Santa Rosa.