To improve the quality of learning of its youth and to protect and ensure their safety and welfare, the Makati City local government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) for the implementation of the Mahalin at Kalingain ang ating mga Bata (MAKABATA) Helpline 1383 project in the city.

Mayor Abby Binay with Usec. Angelo Tapales

Makati City Mayor Abby Binay signed the MOU with CWC Executive Director Usec. Angelo Tapales at the City Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 31, which was witnessed by Coun. Carmina Ortega, Coun. Maria Dolores Arayon, Coun. Rolando Alvarez, Jr., Atty. Cherry Canda-Melodias, Benita Tanyag, Eva Lou Concepcion Agustin, and other CWC and Makati Social Welfare Department officials.

The city government explained the MOU aims to promote the implementation and adoption of the MAKABATA Helpline 1383 as an additional hotline service that is accessible to the public for child-related concerns.  

The initiative, led by CWC, in partnership with PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications Corporation, creates a primary hotline service that caters to children's concerns, which also include all kinds of child's rights violations.

When callers dial 1383 on their telephones or mobile phones, they will be redirected to the CWC hotline team who will answer and accommodate the calls. This allows the CWC to make referral and intervention processes easier and more accessible for children, especially victims of abuse and exploitation.

First started in 2022 but initially covering specialized cases of children involved in armed conflict, MAKABATA Helpline 1383 was expanded nationwide to accommodate all children’s concerns ranging from physical, sexual, emotional, verbal abuse, exploitation, and bullying, among others.

Unlike the initial launch of the helpline last year, PLDT explained that the expansion includes a “click-to-call” function wherein the public simply need internet or data access to click the helpline option on the CWC’s website.

PLDT said it will train CWC personnel especially those on duty on the helpline to further improve the system's effectivity.

Child-friendly barangays

The city government annually recognizes its most child-friendly barangays and police community precincts (PCP) in its Search for the Most Child-Friendly Barangay and Police Community Precinct where it automatically considers all barangays in Makati as participants.

They are then grouped into five categories based on their similarities, such as income, population, and presence/absence of elementary and high schools. Barangays are then evaluated in key areas based on the children's survival, development, protection, and participation.

Meanwhile, 10 PCPs are automatically included as participants to the search. They are evaluated based on physical facilities, training of personnel, information and advocacy, effectiveness of child protection services, and effectiveness of child protection awareness.

The cash award given shall be exclusively used for programs and projects intended for children, according to the city government.