The Center for Community and Local Governance Studies and Policy Development partnered with the local government of Anao, a pioneering town for Project CARE, to strengthen the town's Child Protection Policy.
The memorandum of agreement signing for the CARE Anao Project (Consultancy and Research on Localizing Child Protection Policy in the municipality of Anao) was held on Wednesday morning (May 8) at the Main AVR.
Through this project, the School of Law's legal aid clinic will offer legal assistance to the town alongside the guidance and counseling services of the College of Arts and Social Sciences Psychology Department.
Meanwhile, the CCLGSPD will conduct capacity-building activities for teachers and owners of childcare centers and public schools in Anao and create a localized child protection policy in consultation with the Municipal Social Welfare Development and the town's stakeholders.
According to Ms. Vien Jamaica Samson, Local Government and Policy Development department head, the center started its two-year project last February 2024. The capacity development activities will commence after the policy and advocacy programs are drafted.
Local officials will also be involved in the training, such as handling cases of violence and abuse of children.
Vice Mayor Jocelyn Punzalan, who represented Anao Mayor Gian Pierre De Dios, said they are grateful to TSU for catering projects and partnerships in their town, a fifth-class municipality.
"We are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our child in our community. Our child protection policy aims to localize resources and support, ensuring swift actions and tailored intervention...Let's work together to create a secure environment for our children to thrive through," Mayor De Dios said, as read by Vice Mayor Punzalan.
Ms. Maricar Butay, Anao town's Municipal Social Welfare and Development head, was also present during the partnership signing.
Ms. Butay and Ms. Samson both mentioned that the Moncada and San Jose towns are also interested in entering into a similar partnership with TSU.
"We are very thrilled at na-appreciate po namin that you are partnering again with us sa TSU. We welcome you back sa TSU with the CARE Anao Project. We are grateful na napili niyo ang TSU to assist you sa pag produce po ng child protection policy for the local government unit of Anao. At sabi nga ni Ma'am Cynthia kanina, 'No child should be left behind, and no child should be unprotected,'" Prof. Emir Lenard Sicangco, Office of University Extension Services director, said.
Vice Mayor Punzalan also sought the university's help in enhancing the municipality's database for their filed resolutions, such as a Sanggunian Information System where people can access written resolutions.
In response, Dr. Cynthia Quiambao, CCLGSPD director, said a database under their PRISM project is on deck for Anao town with the assistance of the College of Computer Studies.
