The Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) in Western Visayas recently met for a two-day strategic planning to design programs on children development in the region for the next five years.

Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 Director Minda Brigoli said the activity is a realization of previous discussions on meetings about the various concerns for children in the region especially on how to pursue plans geared towards their development.

Brigoli said the group discussed accomplishments of various agencies on the seven millennium development goals for Western Visayas, particularly on how to firm up plans for children along poverty and hunger, education, health, employment and others.

"We really wanted that our children get nurtured, protected and be provided with the necessary kind of care because we know their situation", said Brigoli as she lauded the participation of the representatives of some 25 member agencies in the activity.

Organized in 1990, RSCWC is composed of representatives of various agencies with DSWD as Chairperson. It served as the extension of CWC at the regional level and replicates the CWCs functions to coordinate the implementation and enforcement of laws relative to the promotion of child and youth welfare in the region.

Aside from coming up with a five-year inter-agency strategic plan of action, the activity revisited the roles and functions of RSCWC in terms of program implementation by its member agencies. It also sought to strengthen the RSCWC coordination, linkages and leadership in providing technical assistance to local government units especially in the Search for a Child Friendly LGUs.

CWC Executive Director Brenda Vigo who attended the strategic planning briefed the participants on the on-going search for the 2012 Presidential Award for Child Friendly Municipalities and Cities, a recognition given to deserving local government units for their vital role in promoting children's rights to survival, development, protection and participation as well as in ensuring child-friendly governance.*PIA