KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO — The Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC) and the Provincial Council Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children (PCAT-VAWC) strengthened their protection efforts for children, women, and vulnerable sectors through enhanced inter-agency coordination during their joint meeting held earlier at Agua Frio Garden Resort, Inc.
The meeting brought together concerned government agencies, local partners, and council members to discuss updates on the implementation of programs, accomplishments, and priority concerns affecting children, women, and families across the province.
Among the major agenda items was the presentation of the councils’ accomplishment reports covering January to June 2026, providing partner agencies an opportunity to review the progress of programs and activities and identify areas that require further coordination and action.
Updates concerning Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD), as well as the status and activities of Provincial, City, and Municipal Councils for the Protection of Children (P/C/MCPCs), were also presented during the meeting.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Sonia L. Bautista emphasized the importance of sustained coordination among agencies and local councils in ensuring that programs intended to protect children and other vulnerable sectors are effectively implemented.
“The protection of children, women, and vulnerable sectors cannot be the responsibility of one office or one agency alone. It requires strong coordination, shared responsibility, and continuous collaboration among all stakeholders,” Bautista said.
She added that regular council meetings serve as an important venue for assessing accomplishments, identifying gaps, and aligning programs and interventions with the actual needs of communities.
“Through these discussions, we are able to determine what has already been accomplished, what still needs to be addressed, and how we can further improve our services. Our goal is to make sure that our programs are responsive, accessible, and truly beneficial to the families and communities we serve,” Bautista said.
The councils also deliberated on proposed resolutions involving key plans for the protection and development of children in the province.
Among these was the proposed approval of the Local Development Plan for Children (LDPC) and Local Investment Plan for Children (LIPC) for 2026–2028, which are intended to guide local government efforts and investments toward programs and interventions that promote children’s rights, development, survival, participation, and protection.
The councils likewise discussed the proposed Annual Work and Financial Plans (AWFP) for 2027 of both the PCPC and PCAT-VAWC, outlining priority activities and corresponding resources for the succeeding year.
Bautista underscored the importance of having clear plans and corresponding investments to ensure that child protection and anti-trafficking initiatives are sustained and translated into concrete services.
“Plans are important because they give us a clear direction, but these plans must also be supported by appropriate investments and coordinated implementation. We need to ensure that the programs we prioritize are responsive to the needs of children, women, and families, especially those who are most vulnerable,” she said.
The meeting also provided an avenue for council members and partner agencies to raise program-related concerns, share updates, and discuss developments that may require joint intervention.
The PCPC and PCAT-VAWC emphasized the need for continuous collaboration among government offices, local councils, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders in addressing issues involving child protection, trafficking, violence against women and children, and other forms of vulnerability.
Bautista further called for sustained commitment from all stakeholders in protecting the rights and welfare of children and vulnerable individuals.
“Our responsibility does not end with the conduct of meetings. What is important is that the agreements, plans, and resolutions are translated into actual programs and services that reach the communities and make a difference in the lives of our children and families,” Bautista said.
The joint meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the PCPC and PCAT-VAWC to strengthen mechanisms for child protection, prevent trafficking and violence against women and children, and ensure that vulnerable sectors in South Cotabato continue to receive appropriate assistance, protection, and support.
Through strengthened coordination, comprehensive planning, and sustained investment in social protection programs, the councils continue to work toward a safer and more supportive environment where children can grow, families can thrive, and the rights and dignity of every individual are protected.
