Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan reaped highly-prestigious awards in the 2024 Urban Governance Exemplar Awards of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), for the city's efforts in providing the children of Manila utmost protection.
The city received three awards at the 32nd celebration of the National Children's Month held at Manila City Hall.
The mayor along with Manila Department of Social Welfare Head Re Fugoso and the Manila Council for the Protection of Children Vice Chairperson Councilor Roma Robles, thanked the DILG for the recognitions bestowed upon the city by DILG-Manila Director John Visca.
The lady mayor also expressed gratitude to and credited the hard work of all the officials and employees involved in the city government to merit such awards.
It was learned that for three consecutive years, the city government of Manila was cited for its numerous initiatives in protecting children through the highest form of recognition for its "Ideal Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) Audit."
Manila was awarded for the second time with "Highly-Functional Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children (LCAT-VAWC)’,
The city also received the award for "High Performing Peace and Order Council Performance Audit."
"Ang mga pagkilala at parangal na ito ay dapat na magbigay sa atin ng higit pang inspirasyon upang ipagpatuloy ang ating mga nasimulan, lalo pang palawakin ang mga programa at proyekto na atin nang ginawa at palakasin pang lalo ang ating kakayahang pangalagaan at bigyang-proteksyon ang mga batang Manileño (These recognitions and awards should give us more inspiration to continue what we have started, further expand the programs and projects we have done and further strengthen our ability to care for and protect the young Manileño)," she said.
"Isang malaking tagumpay para sa Manila Council for the Protection of Children ang pagsasagawa ng Children's Congress sa tulong ng Network of Duty Bearers at ng Manila Health Department. Ang nasabing Children's Congress ay naging daan upang marinig natin ng boses ng mga batang Manilenyo at maging mulat tayo sa kanilangmga pananaw sa iba’t- ibang mga kaganapan sa ating lipunan (The conduct of the Children's Congress with the help of the Network of Duty Bearers and the Manila Health Department was a great success for the Manila Council for the Protection of Children. The said Children's Congress became the way for us to hear the voice of Manilenyo children and to be aware of their views on various events in our society)," the mayor added.
The mayor also reiterated in her "State of the Children Address" their commitment to fully support all kinds of effort geared towards the protection of children from all forms of violence.
The various department heads, employees and child protection advocates also swore to work for the progress and safety of youngsters on the same occasion.