BONTOC, Mountain Province – This municipality has been hailed as one of the recipients of the Seal of Child Friendly Local Governance (SCFLG) for 2018.

The award, which was received by Sangguniang Bayan member Viola Okko and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Fe Toyokan in Baguio City recently, marked the town’s fifth time to be recognized as an SCFLG awardee since it was launched in 2014.

Bontoc passed with flying colors the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA), an annual assessment of the performance of local government units in implementing child-friendly programs and services intended to promote and uplift the welfare of children.

It uses indicators covering governance and the four core rights of children: survival, development, protection, and participation.

Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey credited the award to the collaborative effort of the officials and employees of the municipal government, partner agencies, and stakeholders, and the Bontoc community.

“The municipal government cannot take full credit for this award. This is the result of our passion in giving priority to the welfare of our children,” Odsey said.

He thanked everyone for their efforts, time, and commitment in ensuring that the needs of children are addressed and their well-being, promoted.

The mayor likewise assured that the programs, projects, and activities of the municipal government to the children or the young will be sustained.

Among these are the free newborn screening given to infants born at home or in barangay birthing clinics; financial aid in support to the athletes who compete in the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association, Provincial Athletic Meet and District Meet; aid to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts; financial aid to elementary, secondary and senior high schools; financial assistance to children in conflict with the law; and increase in the honoraria of day care workers.

MSWD Officer Toyokan thanked the administration for giving primary importance to the welfare of the children.

The audit result has also a bearing in LGU’s quest for the Seal of Good Local Governance of which the municipality of Bontoc has been an awardee for 2017, 2018, and 2019.