BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Most local government units (LGUs) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) posted high ratings in the functionality assessment of their Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPC) and in the 2026 Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA).
Mary Jane Abance, Division Chief of the Department of the Interior and Local Government-CAR (DILG-CAR), out of the 77 local government units (LGUs) in the region, 61 achieved passing marks in the functionality assessment of LCPC.2026 Child-Friendly Local governance Audit (CFLGA) during the 2nd Quarter Joint Inter-Agency Committee meeting held on June 24, 2026.
Under the LCPC functionality assessment that serves as a benchmark in measuring how LGUs deliver programs and services for children, LGUs were classified as Ideal, Mature, or Progressive, depending on how well their child protection councils are organized and performing.
For Abra there were 20 LGUs classified as Ideal, seven Mature, and one Progressive. Apayao, Ifugao, and Kalinga all posted 100 percent ideal ratings. Baguio City is rated Ideal at 88.91%. Benguet has 13 Ideal municipalities while the provincial LGU is Mature. Mountain Province has 10 Ideal municipalities, and its provincial LGU is classified as Mature.
For the 2026 CFLGA which evaluates local governance in terms of children’s rights, health, education, protection, and participation, the regional passing rate is 79.22%, with 61 out of 77 LGUs meeting the required standards.
By province, Abra recorded 23 passers out of 27 municipalities or 85.19%; Apayao, Baguio City, and Kalinga achieved a perfect 100% passing rate; Benguet had 9 out of 13 passers; Ifugao had 7 out of 11; and Mountain Province had 6 out of 10.
Abance said the assessment results show that many LGUs are committed to creating safe and supportive environments for children, although some still need assistance meeting the required standards.
To further improve performance, DILG-CAR recommends regular joint on-site assessments of LCPCs and Local Councils for the Welfare of Children, capacity-building activities based on assessment results, and support for monitoring and recognition initiatives for high-performing LGUs.
She added that partner agencies should help design appropriate interventions for LGUs that need support while continuing regular monitoring and evaluation to sustain progress. **JDP/MAWC-PIA-CAR)
