Under the Radar: The Things We Do for Our Children

Under the Radar: The Things We Do for Our Children

I’ve been personally writing the municipal mayor’s State of the Children’s Address (SOCA) for almost 10 years now. The first one in 2016 was easy because I had something to work on: the former MSWDO head Ms. Lerma Padagas’ earlier report (for 2015). I just had to update the numbers.

The ones written for the succeeding years were a challenge to me.

“Is this all we do for our children?” I wondered in 2017. I was prompted to ask the question because based on the number of special events and regular activities that I had been reporting from day to day, I noticed that we had been doing a lot more things that went unnoticed or unincluded in the said report. Such report is one of the bases of DILG’s annual audit whether a town’s current leadership is child-friendly or not.

What I found out overwhelmed me because there were just too many things going on per department and agency—and I mean only those departments and agencies providing a direct form of assistance or service to children. (Children here is defined as “a person from 0 to 17 years old.”)

I think it was in 2019 when the new Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Royo Rosario challenged me: produce a SOCA like that of a certain town’s, which won recognition from the Office of President, no less. A cursory look, and the report was indeed extremely detailed and intimidating!

But after the initial palpitations, I decided to outdo that town's report because I believe our town was doing way better, and I am not even trying to brag. And this time, I needed the assistance of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office's Child Development Focal Person Marvin Bautista for the exhausting task of gathering data from all departments and agencies relevant to the task.

The following is the latest consolidated list of the municipality’s activities for children, grouped by LGU department or agency responsible for or involved in their implementation. It was based on the 2025-2026 Local State of Children Report (LSCR), covering the five mandated pillars of children's welfare and development: health, education, protection, development, and participation.

I. Health, Nutrition, and Medical Services

1. Municipal Health Office (MHO) / Rural Health Units (RHUs) / Department of Health

- Free Birthing Services – Provide free childbirth services to eligible pregnant women who regularly attend prenatal checkups at designated rural health units.
    
- Childhood Immunization – Administer routine vaccines to protect infants and children against preventable diseases.

- Prenatal and Maternal Health Services – Provide prenatal checkups, maternal vaccinations, and vitamin supplementation to support healthy pregnancies and infant development.
  
- Vitamin A Supplementation – Provide vitamin A to young children to support healthy growth, immunity, and development.
 
- Deworming and Iron Supplementation – Help prevent parasitic infections and iron deficiency among children.
  
- Child Growth and Health Monitoring – Conduct barangay health checkups, nutritional assessments, laboratory examinations when needed, and provide medicines and multivitamins to children requiring support.
 
- Medical Outreach Services – Bring medical consultations, free circumcision, medicines, vitamins, and other basic health services closer to children and families in remote barangays through Komprehensibong Serbisyo sa Bayan.
  
- Oral Health Education and Toothbrushing Drills – Teach children proper toothbrushing techniques and daily oral hygiene practices.
  
- Fluoride Application and Dental Sealants – Provide preventive dental interventions to protect children's teeth against tooth decay.
  
- School-Based Dental Services – Bring oral health education and preventive dental care directly to learners and early childhood centers.
  
- Project Buntis Health Seminar – Educate expectant and lactating mothers on safe pregnancy, proper nutrition, and maternal and infant oral health.
 
- Community Oral Health Partnerships – Work with dental organizations and private partners to expand preventive dental services and oral health education.
 
- Adolescent-Friendly Health Services – Provide health services and counseling appropriate to adolescents.

- Youth Health Education – Conduct lectures on HIV/AIDS, mental health, and responsible health practices.
  
- Teenage Pregnancy Prevention and Parenting Education – Conduct information campaigns to help prevent early or unplanned pregnancies and guide teenage parents on effective parenting.
  
- Anti-Dengue Campaign – Conduct information drives, mosquito-control activities, larvicide application, and distribution of mosquito-control materials to help protect children from dengue.
  
- Caregiver Education for Children with Autism and ADHD – Provide guidance on appropriate care, nutrition, and oral health for children with neurodevelopmental conditions.
  
- Newborn Screening – Support early identification of certain congenital conditions through newborn screening services.

2. Municipal Nutrition Action Office (MNAO) / Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC)

- Operation Timbang Plus – Assess children's height, weight, and nutritional status to identify undernutrition and determine who needs timely intervention.

- Supplemental Feeding for Undernourished Children – Provide nutritious food to help address undernutrition and support healthy growth.
  
- Supplemental Feeding for Pregnant Women – Provide additional nutritious food to nutritionally at-risk pregnant women to help prevent low birth weight and childhood stunting, in support of the First 1,000 Days Program.

- Nutrition Education and Healthy Lifestyle Lectures – Teach children about balanced diets, nutritious food choices, physical activity, and disease prevention.
  
- Nutrition Month Activities – Conduct nutrition quizzes, educational games, cooking activities, and creative competitions to make nutrition education engaging for children.
  
- Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding Forum – Educate parents and caregivers on breastfeeding, appropriate infant feeding, and nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life.
  
- Backyard Gardening for Young Learners – Teach preschool children to plant vegetables and understand the importance of growing food.
  
- School and Child Development Center Nutrition Monitoring – Assess the implementation of school nutrition programs, healthy canteen practices, water, sanitation and hygiene, and school vegetable gardening.

- Nutrition in Emergencies Training – Prepare nutrition personnel and community nutrition workers to continue appropriate nutrition interventions during emergencies.

- Support for Barangay Nutrition Programs – Monitor and assess barangay nutrition initiatives to strengthen the implementation of nutrition services for children and families.

3. Mayor’s Action Center (MAC)

- Medical and Financial Assistance for Children – Provide assistance for medical treatment and other urgent needs of children, particularly those with special medical conditions.

- Psychiatric Checkup Assistance – Help minors access regular psychiatric consultations and follow-up care.

- Medical and Transportation Assistance for Children with Disabilities – Support consultations, surgery, and follow-up treatment for children requiring specialized medical care, including cleft lip and palate surgery.

- Financial Assistance for Children with Neurodevelopmental Conditions – Help families meet expenses associated with assessment and care.

- Burial and Emergency Assistance – Extend appropriate assistance to families of minors facing urgent or difficult circumstances.

4. Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO)

- Supplementary Feeding in Child Development Centers – Implement feeding programs to improve the nutritional status of preschool children and support their healthy development.

- Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) – Provide early learning and developmental services that nurture children's physical, intellectual, language, social, and emotional growth.

- Child Development Center Operations and Maintenance – Maintain child-friendly learning spaces and provide equipment, furniture, and other resources needed for early childhood education.

- Child Development Worker Training and Supervision – Train and monitor child development workers to improve the quality of early childhood services.

- Parent Effectiveness Service (PES) – Educate parents and guardians on child-rearing, child development, and the use of early childhood assessment tools.
 
- Abong na Aro (House of Love) – Provide temporary shelter and protection for children and young people who have experienced abuse or exploitation.
 
- Juvenile Justice and Welfare Services – Coordinate case management and intervention for children in conflict with the law (CICL) and children at risk (CAR).

- Barangay Juvenile Intervention Planning – Help barangays develop intervention programs for children at risk and children in conflict with the law.

- Women's and Children's Rights Education – Conduct community orientations on children's rights, the Safe Spaces Act, and the protection of women and children.

- Adoption and Alternative Child Care Orientation – Explain adoption and alternative care processes to help ensure appropriate care and protection for children without parental care.

- National Children's Month Activities – Organize educational, cultural, recreational, and advocacy activities that promote children's rights and welfare.

- Assistance for Children with Disabilities – Coordinate access to assistive devices, medical support, therapeutic activities, and other services for children with disabilities.

- Support for Special Education Learners – Provide appropriate assistance to children enrolled in special education programs.

- Caregiver Education for Children with Disabilities – Help parents and caregivers understand nutrition and other care needs specific to children with disabilities.

- Community Outreach and Gift-Giving – Support activities that provide food, clothing, learning materials, and other assistance to children and families in need.

- Infant Clothing Assistance – Distribute clothing and basic items to eligible infants through barangay-based identification and coordination

- Pamaskong Handog for Young Learners – Provide seasonal gift-giving and food activities that bring joy to preschool children. 

- Cultural Learning Activities in Child Development Centers – Promote local language, traditional songs, dances, games, and cultural identity among young learners.

5. Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO)

-  Autism Awareness Activities – Support initiatives that promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of children on the autism spectrum.

- Assistive Device Provision – Help children and youth with disabilities access wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids.

- Disability-Related Medical and Developmental Support – Coordinate assistance for hearing assessments, specialized treatment, and other needs of children with disabilities.

- Support for Disability Skills Competitions – Provide assistance that enables youth with disabilities to participate in information technology and skills competitions.

- Hydrotherapy and Therapeutic Activities – Support therapeutic programs that promote the physical development and wellbeing of children with disabilities.

- Nutrition Education for Caregivers – Provide guidance on appropriate food preparation, nutritious food choices, and healthy eating practices for children with disabilities.

6. Municipal Civil Registry Office

- Timely Birth Registration – Process birth registration to establish every child's legal identity and access to essential services and rights.

- Free Delayed Birth Registration Assistance – Bring registration services closer to families in barangays to help children without birth certificates obtain legal documentation.

II. Education and Learning Development

7. Local School Board (LSB) / Department of Education

- School Supplies Distribution – Provide essential school materials to help children meet their educational needs.

- Educational Equipment Assistance – Supply schools with printers, laptops, smart TVs, and other learning resources.

- School Facility Improvement – Support classroom construction, school repairs, and improvements to facilities, including appropriate comfort rooms for learners with disabilities.

- Brigada Eskwela Support – Provide painting materials and other supplies to help prepare and maintain school facilities.

- Support for Teachers and Schools – Provide materials and resources that assist teachers in delivering classroom instruction.

- Educational Assistance for Students Studying Outside the Municipality – Extend school supplies to Bayambangueño learners enrolled in schools in neighboring towns.

- Support for Special Education – Provide resources for inclusive education and the needs of learners requiring specialized educational support.

8. Municipal Library

- Children's Reading Services – Provide child-friendly reading areas and access to books and learning materials.

- Online Educational Resources – Give students and teachers access to digital reference materials through World Book Online.

- Barangay E-Reading Centers – Establish and monitor community-based facilities that give children and young people access to computers, digital information, and learning resources.

- Buklat Aklat Literacy Project – Provide reading support and instruction to improve reading comprehension and literacy among struggling readers.

9. Public Employment Service Office (PESO)

- Work Immersion and On-the-Job Training – Coordinate the placement of students in LGU offices and other work settings to provide practical workplace experience.

- Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) and Government Internship Program (GIP) – Provide work exposure and employment opportunities to eligible students and young graduates.

- Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Education – Conduct orientations on preventing child labor, illegal recruitment, and trafficking in persons.

10. Municipal Tourism, Culture and Arts Office (MTICAO) including Public Information/Media Affairs Office (PIO) and Museum Office
- Student Journalism and News Reporting – Give student journalists opportunities to practice reporting, feature writing, and photography during municipal events.

- Tourism and Local History Quiz Competitions – Help learners understand Bayambang's history, cultural heritage, and local identity.
  
- Pangasinan Poetry Writing Activities – Encourage young people to express local culture, experiences, and identity through literature.
 
- Arts and Creative Competitions – Provide opportunities for children and youth to develop and showcase artistic talents.
   
- Museum-Based Learning – Provide opportunities for children and young people to learn about local history, heritage, and community identity by establishing and operating the municipal museum as a learning venue.
  
- Little Mr. and Ms. Bayambang – Provide young children with opportunities to develop confidence, stage presence, self-expression, and talent. (with Administrator’s Office as main organizer
 
- Halloween Activities – Organize child-friendly celebrations and activities that encourage creativity, enjoyment, and social interaction. (with Administrator’s Office as main organizer)

III. Child Protection, Safety, and Disaster Preparedness

11. Philippine National Police (PNP)

- Anti-Bullying Lectures – Educate students about bullying prevention, respectful behavior, and school safety.

- Anti-Child Abuse and Anti-VAWC Campaigns – Conduct information drives and lectures on laws protecting children against abuse, violence, and exploitation.

- Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Desks – Maintain reporting and assistance mechanisms for cases involving violence against women and children.

- School and Campus Security – Maintain police visibility near schools and provide assistance to help protect students.

- Oplan Sagip and Barangay Outreach – Conduct community-based activities and outreach initiatives to support and protect children and youth.

- Anti-Drug and Youth Protection Activities – Support community outreach and awareness programs promoting the safety and wellbeing of young people.

12. Bayambang Public Safety Office (BPSO)

- School-Zone Safety and Traffic Assistance – Assist students crossing roads and traveling to and from school, particularly in areas with heavy student traffic.


13. Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO)

- School Disaster Preparedness Drills – Conduct regular earthquake drills to teach students how to respond safely during earthquakes and other emergencies.

- School Early Warning System Monitoring – Monitor school early warning bells to help ensure timely alerts during disasters.

- Disaster Risk Awareness and Education – Promote preparedness, appropriate emergency responses, and a culture of resilience among children.

14. Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)

- School Emergency Preparedness Activities – Participate in earthquake drills and coordinated emergency preparedness activities to promote safety among learners and school personnel.

- Open House – Allow children to familiarize themselves with the fire station’s daily operations.

15. Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC)

- Quarterly Child Protection Meetings – Coordinate the efforts of municipal offices, barangays, and partner organizations in promoting children's rights and welfare.

- Child-Friendly Governance Monitoring – Review the implementation of child-focused programs and help ensure compliance with child-friendly local governance standards.

- Child Welfare Policy and Program Coordination – Help identify children's needs, guide local policy development, and monitor the implementation of programs intended for their protection and development.

- Children's Welfare Fund – Allocate resources for programs, projects, and activities that directly support children's education, welfare, and development.

- Partnership-Based Feeding and Assistance Programs – Coordinate with civil society organizations and other partners to provide food, clothing, educational materials, and other support to children in need.

- Inclusive Child Development Initiatives – Coordinate the efforts of health, social welfare, education, and disability-related offices to ensure that children with disabilities can access appropriate care, learning, and support.

- Child-Centered Program Planning and Monitoring – Use information on children's needs and welfare to guide local policies, resource allocation, and program implementation.

 
16. Local Council Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children (LCAT-VAWC)

- Anti-Trafficking and Anti-VAWC Coordination – Coordinate programs and interventions to prevent trafficking, violence, and abuse affecting children and families.

- Case Monitoring and Referral – Review reported cases, identify concerns, and strengthen coordination among agencies handling cases of violence and exploitation.

- Community Awareness Activities – Promote awareness of laws, reporting mechanisms, and protective services for women and children.

17. Sangguniang Bayan (SB)

- Child Protection Legislation – Enact and review local policies that promote children's rights, safety, health, and welfare.

- Mental Health and Teenage Pregnancy Policy Initiatives – Deliberate on proposed measures for mental health promotion and teenage pregnancy prevention and intervention.

- Review of Youth and Barangay Development Priorities – Conduct hearings on Sangguniang Kabataan and barangay budgets and investment programs to examine proposed projects and priorities.

- Support for Child-Friendly Local Governance – Provide the legislative framework for programs addressing child protection and other children's concerns.

18. Municipal Budget Office, Municipal Planning and Development Office, and Finance Team 

- Review and consolidate budget proposals to ensure that funding for children’s education, health, nutrition, protection, and development is considered in municipal plans and budget allocations.

- Monitor budget appropriations and compliance with budgeting requirements to help ensure that funds allocated for child-focused programs are used for their intended purposes.



IV. Youth Participation in Community Development, Sports, and Recreation

18. Local Youth Development Office (LYDO) / Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation

- Linggo ng Kabataan Activities – Organize youth-oriented programs that promote leadership, creativity, health, civic awareness, and active community participation.

- Youth Leadership Development – Conduct leadership and civic education activities for student leaders and youth representatives.

- Youth Health and Wellness Forums – Promote awareness of holistic health, wellness, and responsible decision-making.

- Literary and Arts Competitions – Provide opportunities for young people to express their ideas and demonstrate their creative abilities through essays, poetry, and visual arts.

- Traditional Filipino Games – Organize recreational activities that promote physical activity, teamwork, and appreciation of Filipino culture.

- Youth Outreach and Reading Activities – Conduct storytelling sessions and provide reading materials to encourage literacy and learning.
 
- Youth Participation in Local Development – Encourage young people to engage in community projects and local development initiatives.
 
- Youth Volunteerism and Community Cleanliness – Involve young people in environmental cleanliness and community improvement activities.

19. Municipal Physical Fitness and Sports Development Council / Sports Office

- Youth Sports Tournaments – Organize basketball and other sporting competitions to encourage physical fitness, teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship.

- Athlete Development and Recognition – Support, recognize, and encourage young athletes who participate in sports competitions.

- Sports Uniforms and Competition Assistance – Provide appropriate support to local athletes participating in school and inter-district competitions.


21. Municipal Agriculture Office / Bayambang Polytechnic College / Youth Agriculture Initiatives / DepEd

- Youth Agribusiness Education – Encourage young people to explore agriculture and agribusiness as fields of study and future livelihood.

- Agricultural Seminars and Training – Provide learning opportunities on agricultural practices and modern farming.

- Millennial Farmers' Association of Bayambang – Organize young people interested in agriculture to encourage youth participation in farming, entrepreneurship, and agricultural development.

- Young Farmers' Enterprise Support – Recognize and support promising youth-led agricultural business initiatives. 

- Gulayan sa Paaralan – Support school and child development center vegetable gardens through seeds, seedlings, fertilizers, and related assistance, helping children learn about food production and nutrition.  (The Municipal Ecological Solid Waste Management Office pitches in by providing compost or soil ameliorants.)                                              

***

Surely other towns and cities have roughly similar initiatives on top of regular compliance to mandated activities, but overall, Bayambang’s SOCA unfailingly shows that the municipal work for children in various areas is so vast and nothing to sneeze at, to say the least.