GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The city government has allocated some PhP15 million for the implementation of programs next year that will further improve the welfare of children in the city.
City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said Friday they have lined up various initiatives that would help address the basic concerns of children, among them the need for more learning opportunities and protection from abuses.
“The city government is committed to promote the best interest of all the children in the city,” he said in a statement.
The mayor said they will deploy early next year a mobile library and e-learning hub that will serve the city’s 26 barangays.
He said these were designed to provide opportunities to children “to be able to read books and use computers for reading activities and computer literacy.”
Rivera said the preparatory works are underway for the establishment of a Likay Droga or Lingap sa Kabataang Ayaw sa Droga Center that will function alongside the Bahay Pag-asa, a home for out-of-school youths and children who are victims of violence and crimes.
The local government completed earlier this year the establishment of the Bahay Pag-asa with an activity area for children in conflict with the law or CICLs in Cabuay, Barangay Sinawal with a funding of PhP7.8 million.
He said the center will cater to children and out-of-school youths who are beneficiaries of the Likay Drogra Program.
The city received a Galing Pook Award this year for the Likay Droga, which is a community-based intervention against anti-illegal drug use.
Rivera said the local government will also expand next year the city’s Youth and Adults Entrepreneurship Program (YAEG), which will be introduced to children who are at risk and in need of special attention, including CICLs.
Through the Alternative Learning System, he said the beneficiaries will be provided with skills trainings and access to livelihood programs and assistance, in coordination with the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority, he said.
Rivera said the city government is fully committed to address all concerns of children in the city and make sure that not of them will be left behind. (Frances Kristine Alvero/PNA)
