Children comprise a third of society. They are also one of its most capable, most vulnerable, and most valuable members. And yet, children are one of the most unrepresented sectors in governance. Decisions being made for the growth of communities often do not consider the special needs nor engage the unique capacities of children.

Fundación Educación y Cooperación – EDUCO and the Bicol Center for Community Development (BCCD)—both committed to the same goals for Bicolano women, children, and youth—have come together in a new initiative that will enable local structures to function in favor of child rights. This initiative is entitled, “Crafting the Framework for Child-Friendly Community in Manito and Legazpi, Albay” or, simply, CFLG Project.

Up to 100 community leaders, barangay officials and civil society representatives from Legazpi City and Manito, Albay gathered yesterday, 8 May 2018, in Legazpi City to launch the Project. The CFLG Project aims to strengthen existing local governance systems to work in favor of child rights and, at the same time, mainstream gender equality and environmental sustainability.

Project CFLG, which is funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), hopes to achieve this by training over CSOs, women’s groups, and local governments to participate in child-friendly local governance.

Donsol paved the way

Zcyrel and Rona, child leaders from Donsol, Sorsogon, share their experience during the Tungo Sa Makabatang Pamamahala CFLG Project Launch, 8 May 2018, Legazpi City.

“We deserve to be heard because we matter,” said Zcyrel, 16 years old, a child leader from Donsol, Sorsogon as she shared her experience working with Donsol Mayor Jo Alcantara-Cruz and their Municipal Council for the Protection of Children.

According to Mayor Jo, for CFLG to be a success, leaders really have “to have their heart in it.” She says, while it is difficult to start engaging child participation in governance, the advantage is, eventually governance work became happier, easier, and faster. “Naging masaya. Naging magaan. Naging mabilis.”

Based on Donsol’s experience, there should be a good relationship between the Municipal government and its children’s organizations. Adults should “have the heart” to support children, be open-minded in working with millennials, and invest in organizing, leadership, and information on children.

On the other hand, in CFLG, children must be are organized, inclusive in the priorities they identify as a sector, and skilled, ready, and willing to engage in governance processing. Zcyrel recalls, “Lagi kaming part ng planning, budgeting, and, sometimes, even implementing.”

Donsol’s programs are now more inclusive to children and youth. Mayor Jo cites the different activities that children have come up with for issues on environment, teenage pregnancy, and child rights, among others.

Zcyrel, as a child leader, understands how adults commonly see children as unruly, disorganized, and selfish. However, while at the launch ceremony, she presented pictures of child organizing, awareness raising, and other activities children in Donsol has done. She showed that children can also bring in the value of honesty, idealism, and passion through united volunteerism in governance work.

While it will require significant effort from local governments, Zcyrel reiterates the value of investing in children, “Sa amin din naman manggagaling ang future leaders [ng Donsol].” (Donsol’s future leaders will only come from us children anyway.)

Legazpi, Manito up to the challenge

L-R: BCCD Executive Director Ruby Deloso, Donsol Child Federation President Zcyrel, Manito Vice Mayor Belludo, Donsol Mayor Josephine Alcantara-Cruz, Council Beth Dimaculangan, EDUCO Country Director Imelda Abalos

“We are inspired. Gusto naming sumunod sa yapak ng Donsol (We want to follow Donsol’s footsteps),” says Manito Vice Mayor Belludo. “Kailangang magtulungan po tayo (We must work together),” he reaches out to attending barangay officials of Manito.

“Nakakainggit naman ang Donsol,” says Councilor Lilibeth Muñoz-Dimaculangan who represented Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal. (We feel envious of Donsol).

She encouraged all stakeholders in Legazpi to be active while they gear towards child-friendly local governance. She turned to their NGO partners and claimed, “Rest assured that Legazpi is 100% in support of this project.”

The CFLG Project will run until 2020 and will ultimately directly benefit over 6,000 men, women, boys, and girls.#