The City Government of Valenzuela and United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) continue to promote child welfare – with UNICEF donating computer equipment to the barangays of Arkong Bato, Gen. T. de Leon, Paso de Blas, Punturin, Ugong, and Veinte Reales for an improved access to child protection services, March 08.    

Valenzuela City has always been a strong supporter of children’s rights. With its commitment to serve every Batang Valenzuelano, Valenzuela City has found partners in its journey towards a safe and secured community for its children.

UNICEF has been working with the country and its local government units to stop the transmission of COVID-19 while it continues to encourage children, parents, and caregivers to ensure the protection of the rights of children against violence, neglect, and abuse. With the pandemic causing a shift into the digital world, barangay councils must also adapt in improving access to child protection services which include having the needed capacity to deliver services safely and with ease.

Gracing the formal turnover of the computer sets is Ms. Patrizia Benvenuti, Chief of the Child Protection Services of UNICEF Philippines, who personally turned over the donation to the selected barangays.

The new computers will be used for conducting virtual consultations, conferences, and case hearings by the community-based multi-disciplinary team that delivers services to clients and children needing special protection.

Valenzuela City Mayor REX Gatchalian could not be more thankful to UNICEF as it shares a vision with the local government to end violence against, “The partnership will not end here, it will keep on growing with our commitment to really collaborate for the best child protection services.”

“Our thanks and heartfelt gratitude to UNICEF for being our steadfast partner... Ever since from [the] Pathfinding City arrangement, from hardware to software equipment… You have been providing our City the best ways to provide and protect our Batang Valenzuelanos,” Mayor REX added.

Councilor Niña Lopez also joins the event as the Chairperson of the Committee on Women, Family, and Children and ensures UNICEF that computer equipment will be properly distributed and will be used for the welfare of the children.

Present also in the event are Chief of Staff for Social Welfare Operations, Ms. Dorothy Evangelista, Punong Barangay (PB) Cristina Marie Feliciano-Tan of Arkong Bato, PB Afren Caiña of Gen T. De Leon, PB Lucy Nolasco of Paso De Blas, PB Bernabe Zuñiga of Punturin, PB Eduardo Nazar of Ugong, and PB Pio San Diego Jr. of Veinte Reales.