To strengthen the child protection system in the Philippines and amplify the voice of the young people in the City of Valenzuela, the Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) together with UNICEF Philippines, partner with the City Government of Valenzuela through an advocacy caravan at ALERT Center Multi-purpose Hall, October 24. 

With the goal to intensify the child protection system in the country, the advocacy caravan assembled a diverse group of attendees to have them actively participate and gain knowledge in the newly enacted child protection policies which shapes the Child Protection System as a whole. 

It was in 2018 when UNICEF released a report on the Situation of the Filipino Children and revealed a number of barriers that prevent children from fully enjoying their rights as stated in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: the right to education, health, protection, and participation. With Valenzuela City’s experience, political leadership and collaborative governance, these become significant as the local government pledged to become the first Pathfinding City in the World to end the violence against children in 2019. 

Valenzuela Chief of City Social Welfare Operations Ms. Dorothy Evangelista narrated the City’s journey on becoming a pathfinding city. This commitment aims to create a safe community where every child grows up nurtured and safe from all forms of abuse and violence, and to implement evidence-based practices to end violence against children.

Meanwhile, UNICEF Child Protection Officer Atty. Marie Michelle Quezon discussed several child protection laws enacted in the last four years for better understanding of the participants. Atty. Quezon emphasized the importance of these laws such as protecting the best interest of the child and preventing retraumatization. 

Amplifying the voice of the young people, during the caravan, Valenzuela Young Heroes also played a creative presentation on child rights and child protection. Valenzuelano youth are encouraged and given the opportunity to be heard through a capacity-building towards co-creating local legislation for child protection. 

Concluding the event was the signing of a manifesto protecting the Valenzuelano youth. The signing was led by Local Council for the Protection of Children Vice Chairperson Councilor Nina Lopez. 

Gracing the event were UNICEF Philippines Chief of Child Protection Ms. Patricia Lim Ah Ken, UNICEF Child Protection Officer Atty. Marie Michelle Quezon, PLCPD Advocacy Manager Nenita Dalde, Local Council for the Protection of Children Action Officer and Chief of City Social Welfare Operations Ms. Dorothy Evangelista, LCPC Vice Chair Councilor Nina Lopez, DILG Valenzuela Director Sudi Valencia, Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Noel Bagano, Valenzuela City Police Station Women and Child Protection Desk Police Officers, members of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children, and child advocates around the city. 
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