May 20, 2024-The Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) and the Local Council Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women (LCAT-VAW) convened for their second-quarter meeting at the BCGC, SP Session Hall. Councilor Celia Flor delivered the opening remarks, followed by the review and approval of the minutes from the first-quarter meeting held on March 26, 2024.

The LCPC presented its agenda, focusing on the Rationale of the Comprehensive Local Juvenile Intervention Program of Bacolod City (CLJIP) and provided an update on the 2022 Child Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA). During the presentations, there were discussions with various agencies to address key issues and collaborative efforts.

LCAT-VAWC highlighted the functionality assessment and introduced a conceptualized referral pathway for responding to Trafficking in Persons (TIP) cases, which includes the Draft Reporting and Referral Pathway (Local Level) and the Draft Protocol in Handling Badjau Influx and Persons/Families Situations. The agencies then discussed deeply regarding the TIP cases. Additionally, discussions included plans for the World Day against Trafficking.

Proposed resolutions included incorporating the PSA and Alliance of Children’s Ministries in Negros as members of LCPC and LCAT-VAWC, and drafting a local referral pathway for TIP case responses.

The meeting was attended by representatives from various agencies including DRRMO, CBO, CHO, DSSD, Public Attorneys Office (PAO), Office of Councilor Celia Flor, Anti-Medicancy, DepEd Bacolod, Philippine Coastguard, SK Federation and Kalipay Foundation.
(Source: Bacolod City Public Information Office)