Valenzuela City is creating a safer environment for children with aid from non-government organization ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. (ALKFI)

City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) Officer-in-charge Dorothy Evangelista said the department and the ALKFI is has begun to conduct  “community outreach programs” −workshops, lectures and fora − on how communities can protect children from abuse.

The first program, held on October 24 at the Valenzuela Astrodome, was attended by more than 1,000 children and more than 500 mothers, Evangelista said.

The city government and the ALKFI, who runs the child protection hotline Bantay Bata 163, recently signed a memorandum of agreement which seeks to bolster child protection services in the city.

“With ALKFI’s deep experience and wide influence as a media-based organization, I can’t think of a more valuable partner in promoting child protection among communities,” said Evangelista.

ALKFI is media conglomerate ABS-CBN’s corporate social responsibility arm.

This is the first time the ALKFI is partnering with a local government unit for its child protection program.

Besides holding community outreach programs, the two organizations have also agreed to assemble a crisis management team for abused children.

 “Bantay Bata 163 is a trusted brand name and we’re very happy and thankful to be partnering with them. We will synergize the strength of the local government and a private organization to promote child protection in the city,” City Mayor REX Gatchalian said.