The Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPCs) continue to serve as a cornerstone in the Philippines' efforts to combat child abuse and exploitation. In Central Luzon, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region III, in collaboration with local government units (LGUs), remains steadfast in upholding and promoting children's rights at the grassroots level. The annual LCPC Functionality Assessment is a testament to this commitment, aiming to evaluate and enhance the councils' effectiveness in policy implementation, coordination, child protection services, and local governance concerning child welfare.

Reorientation Meetings and Pre-Assessment Phase

The 2025 LCPC assessment commenced in January with a preparatory meeting at the DILG Region III office. This session provided guidance and aligned the Regional Inter-Agency Monitoring Task Force's (RIMTF) understanding of technical notes, regional timelines, and strategies. A notable change this year was the shift from face-to-face to online pre-assessment, reflecting the RIMTF's collective desire to enhance the functionality of the nine provinces and highly urbanized cities (P/HUCs) in the region.

Reorientation Meetings and Pre-Assessment Phase

The success of this year's implementation can be attributed to the collective effort of RIMTF members, who meticulously reviewed all Means of Verification (MOVs) presented during onsite assessments. The final results showcased significant achievements:

• Ideal Functionality:
  • Bulacan – 84.36%
  • Tarlac – 86.50%
  • Angeles City – 96.40%
  • Olongapo City – 97.60%
  • Aurora – 83.76%

• Mature Functionality:
  • Bataan – 79.56%
  • Pampanga – 59.41%
  • Zambales – 73.01%
  • Nueva Ecija – 71.81

Notably, there were zero LGUs classified under Progressive Functionality, indicating overall improvements across the region.

Common Observations and Findings

During the Exit Conferences conducted in every onsite assessment, the recurring observation was the varied templates and formats used by LGUs for their Four Legacies (4L) documentation. To address this, the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) pledged to provide a standardized toolkit, aiming to streamline documentation processes and facilitate easier review by the RIMTF.

Through these concerted efforts, DILG Region III and its partner LGUs demonstrate an unwavering commitment to strengthening child protection mechanisms, ensuring that every child in Central Luzon is safeguarded and their rights upheld.