The recent four-day workshop held in Koronadal City on August 4-8, 2025, focused on capacity building for child-friendly local governance, specifically aimed at developing four legacies for children. This initiative was attended by various Local Government Units (LGUs) from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, Parang, Matanog, and Barira and was part of ongoing efforts to enhance child welfare and rights at the local governance level.
The workshop focused on the development of “Four Legacies for Children”—Local Development Plan for Children, Local Investment Plan for Children, Local Code for Children, and Local State of Children’s Report. It aimed at increasing the proficiency of the Provincial/Municipal/City Council for the Protection of Children members on the Four Legacies for Children, developing a re-entry plan on the rollout of the Four (4) Legacies for Children at the local level, and generating commitment to develop local policies/ordinances on free birth registration. This aligns with the broader framework of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children (UNCRC), which emphasizes the rights of children to survival, development, protection, and participation.
Organized by UNHCR-UNICEF and CBCS together with other implementing partners with the support from the Government of Japan. The workshop provided LGU officials and staff with the knowledge and tools necessary to design and implement a child-centered governance initiative. Participants engaged in interactive sessions covering Local Situational Analysis on Children, CRSA Methodology, and Formulating and Assessment of Four Legacies.
The expected outcomes of this capacity-building initiative include strengthened local governance structures that are responsive to children’s needs, enhanced skills among LGU officials to design and implement child-centered policies and ordinances, increased awareness and commitment to child rights among local leaders, and an established framework for monitoring and evaluating child-friendly initiatives at the local level.
This workshop represents a significant step in the ongoing efforts to create a more child-friendly governance framework in BARMM. By focusing on capacity building and the development of sustainable legacies for children, the initiative aims to ensure that local governance effectively addresses the diverse needs of children, thereby contributing to their overall well-being and development in the region. Such efforts are vital for fostering a supportive environment where children can thrive and participate fully in their communities.
Participants left the workshop with renewed commitment and actionable plans to advance child-friendly governance, ensuring that the Four Legacies become a cornerstone of their local agencies’ agendas. This action marks a milestone journey towards a friendly and child-centered Bangsamoro region.
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