Mainstreaming Child Rights in the Rationalized Local Planning System (RPS)

November 4, 2009

DILG MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 170-09

 

I. Prefatory Statement

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),along with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA),the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Finance (DOF),issued Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, series of 2007 providing for the Guidelines on the Harmonization of Local Planning, Investment Programming, Revenue Administration, Budgeting and Expenditure Management. The JMC stresses the complementation of provinces, cities and municipalities in the preparation of the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPF) and the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP). ECTHIA

Section 17 of the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991 provides that LGUs shall exercise such powers and discharge such functions and responsibilities as are necessary, appropriate or incidental to the efficient and effective provision of the basic services and facilities. Social welfare services, which include programs and projects on child and youth welfare, is among the basic services LGUs are expected to deliver. Further, Sections 106 and 109 of the 1991 LGC identify the Local Development Council (LDC) as the structure responsible in formulating long, medium and short term plans to address the general welfare of the community.

The Philippines, as signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC),has adopted CHILD 21 as the enabling policy environment on children. CHILD 21 serves as the planning framework on children and concretizes the country's commitment to ensure that every Filipino child's right to survival, development, protection and participation are addressed.

II. Integrating Child Rights in the Planning Structure, Planning Database and Investment Programming

A. As chair of the Local Development Council, all Local Chief Executives are hereby encouraged to mainstream Child Rights in the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) prepared within the framework of the Rationalized Local Planning System (RPS) and to undertake the following suggested courses of action:

1. Strengthen and make functional the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) as a standing or functional committee of the Local Development Council which shall be responsible for the promotion of the child and youth sectoral concerns;

2. Adhere to the activities and timelines suggested in the Synchronized Local Planning and Budgeting Calendar (SLPBC) and desist from undertaking planning and investment programming activities independent of and/or detached from the comprehensive development planning process; aSEDHC

3. Direct the LCPC to provide inputs in the preparation or updating of the LGU's ecological profile (planning databases) relative to children and to conduct deeper analysis of the same to elicit additional information from and implications of observed conditions;

4. Ensure LCPC participation in setting sectoral goals and identification of appropriate interventions to address issues and concerns pertaining to child rights;

5. As a result of the analysis of the planning environment, strengthen or sustain positive conditions of children and/or address negative conditions, as the case may be;

6. Identify and/or propose appropriate interventions towards the protection and promotion of child rights;

7. Together with the Sanggunian, participate in the sifting and prioritization of programs, projects and services following the Local Development Investment Programming (LDIP) preparation process as provided for in the Guide to CDP Preparation; and

8. Propose to the Sanggunian the enactment of appropriate legislations to promote child rights and integrate appropriate programs and projects for consideration and prioritization in the Local Development Investment Program.

B. LGUs may use the book, "Mainstreaming Child Rights in Local Planning: A Guide to Localizing Child 21",as one of the tools in the gathering and analysis of data on children. They may also seek assistance from the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) for appropriate tools and techniques in the data gathering and analysis and get copies of results of studies, researches, monitoring and evaluation relating to children as inputs in the preparation of their CDPs.

C. In the preparation of their CDPs, LGUs may refer to the following broad categories where prospective programs, projects and services addressing child rights may be identified:

1. Survival

1.1 Adequate nutrition, health care and shelter and maternal care to ensure that: caCSDT

• All children are registered at birth;

• All infants are exclusively breastfed up to 6 months;

• All children are fully immunized;

• All children 0-1 year old are weighed monthly, and quarterly for children over 1 year;

• All children are well nourished;

• All children are given one dose of vitamin A at 6-11 months; 1-5 years old are given vitamin A capsule twice a year;

• All births are attended by trained personnel;

• All pregnant women get at least 4 complete pre-natal check ups;

• All mothers are fully immunized against tetanus;

• All pregnant or lactating mothers get vitamin A and Iron supplements;

• All pregnant women at risk get emergency obstetrical care; and

• All pregnancies are spaced at least 3-5 years apart.

2. Development

2.1 Access to quality psycho-social and education opportunities by including projects/activities to ensure that:

• All 3-5 years old children attend early childhood education programme;

• All children 6-15 years old complete basic education through regular or alternative delivery modes; and ADCIca

• All children graduating in elementary school attain mastery level of nationally defined competencies.

3. Protection

3.1 Safety from harm, violence and destructive elements by including projects/activities to ensure that:

• All illiterate parents or caregivers are enrolled in functional literacy programme;

• All children are removed from hazardous or exploitative labour, prostitution and pornography;

• All cases of physical and sexual abuse and violence are eliminated in the home and community;

• All families have safe drinking water;

• All families use only iodized salt;

• All families use sanitary latrines; and

• All fathers and mothers share in the caring and rearing of children.

4. Participation

• Views of children aged 12-17 are sought and duly considered in local government decisions that affect them.

Likewise, LGUs are encouraged to ensure that measures to implement RA 9288 or the New Born Screening Act of 2004, RA 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 and other relevant laws on children are also integrated in their CDPs.

DILG Regional Directors and Field Officers shall cause the widest dissemination of this Circular within their respective jurisdiction.

For information and guidance of all concerned. DTEAHI

 

(SGD.) RONALDO V. PUNOSecretary