HINGYON, Ifugao- – The municipal government of Hungduan is ever optimistic it will meet its children protection goal for 2017, Vice Mayor Romeo Haguyapyap said recently at a program conducted at Hapao Barangay Hall.
The three-day training program clearly bolstered the capabilities of barangay council officials, Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) members and Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) desk personnel.
“We are relatively optimistic about fulfilling the target of the Local Council for Protection of Children and the Violence Against Women and Children,” said Vice Mayor Haguyapyap, a staunch advocate for the protection and empowerment of the youth and women.
Vice Mayor Haguyapyap stressed the important role of the VAWC desk personnel at all levels such as at the national, regional, provincial, city, municipal and barangay leevels.
Efforts to curb offenses against women and children are now being given ample attention and top priority by the Duterte administration. But efforts should not be relaxed as pressure caused by people’s vigilance is continuing to mount.
Considering the great importance of safeguarding the well-being of women and children, it would be extremely difficult for officials in the municipal and grassroots levels to adopt or develop an uncaring attitude for them.
The collaboration among municipal government and barangay government officials will make the best use of available resources in protecting them and meet the need for a better blueprint in advancing their best interest.
In an exclusive interview with the ZigZag Weekly, Vice Mayor Haguyapyap mentioned that the Hungduan municipal government’s agenda of promoting the welfare of the young and women remains high on the list.
He said the special training program as well as the quarterly meetings of the LCPC will immensely help stakeholders master not only the Integrated Area of Development Assistance Program (IADAP) but effectively implement the overall protection program for children and women.
“More importantly, it will provide them guidance and practical insights on how to better deal with critical situations on the ground,” he added.
Truth to tell, the IADAP is far-reaching and substantive in nature since it covers several barangays. In this case, it seeks to extend a helping hand not just to Barangay Hapao but also to other two poor and remote villages such Nungulunan and Baang.
The unique program held despite limited resources is rarely appreciated comprehensively or in full in any other municipality of the province.
Hapao Punong Barangay Ramon Gayadang, for his part, urged the government to provide all-out support to the barangay council in order to realize the program’s objectives.
All told, the Inter Monitoring Task Force (IMTF) has a key role in annually monitoring and evaluating the functionality of the LCPC at all levels. The influential IMTF is chaired by the DILG and co-chaired by the DSWD.
Many believed in Ifugao province that the LCPC and VAWC programs are encompassing and would have a positive impact on the lives of the people with well-meaning and highly motivated officials like Vice Mayor Haguyapyap at the helm.
Vice Mayor Haguyapyap likewise stressed the urgency for the officialdom to invest in programs intended for the betterment of the Filipino youth and women.
Mayor Hilario Bumangabang, DILG local government operations officer Florita Narciza, provincial social welfare and development officer Elena Otgalon, Haliap National High School principal Oliver Tobiagon, head teacher and district coordinator Leo Bartz Madangeng, Hungduan National High School head Flavia Abuday, social welfare officer Gloria Depago and social welfare officer Virginia Kimmayong also shared their insights and inspired the participants to do their utmost as a means of elevating the LCPC and VAWC to greater heights. It is expected that an Annual Work and Financial Plan (AWFP) be drafted and implemented at the soonest time. **By Anthony A. Araos
