Children First: DILG Launches 2026 Child-Friendly Governance Audit for LGUs

News | National Posted on 2026-03-12 02:51:35

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has officially launched the 2026 Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA), urging cities and municipalities nationwide to strengthen programs and services that protect and promote the welfare of Filipino children.

The initiative supports the directive of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prioritize the health, education, safety, and overall development of young Filipinos as part of the country’s long-term development agenda.

In a memorandum circular, the DILG said local government units (LGUs) will be evaluated across five key areas: survival, development, protection, participation, and governance. These indicators assess programs related to children’s health and nutrition, access to quality education, child protection mechanisms, youth participation in community activities, and local policies that uphold children’s rights.

To pass the audit, LGUs must achieve at least 80 percent in each category and obtain an overall rating of 80 percent or higher. The evaluation will be based on programs implemented in 2025, with data to be submitted through the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance Knowledge Management System between March and April 2026. The results will then undergo validation at the provincial, regional, and national levels.

LGUs that successfully meet the requirements will qualify for the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance (SCFLG), awarded by the Council for the Welfare of Children.

Jonvic Remulla, Secretary of the DILG, said the audit highlights the government’s commitment to ensuring that Filipino children grow up in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment.

“When local governments invest in children, they are investing in the future of their communities. Child-friendly governance means ensuring that every child is healthy, protected, educated, and given the opportunity to participate in shaping the communities they will one day lead,” Remulla said.

The CFLGA is a mandatory, results-based assessment that measures how effectively LGUs implement programs and systems that allow children to access essential services and grow up in safe communities. It also serves as a guide for local governments in designing programs that provide inclusive services and protect children from poverty through governance that respects children’s rights.

Since its launch, the CFLGA has produced encouraging outcomes and gained public support. In 2025, a total of 1,090 LGUs passed the audit, marking a 21.9 percent increase compared to the 895 LGUs that passed in 2024.

Many citizens also expressed support for the initiative online. One netizen commented, “Great job to the LGUs! Prioritizing child-friendly governance ensures a brighter and safer future for our youth.”

Another netizen wrote, “Nakaka-proud makita ang commitment ng mga lokal na pamahalaan na unahin ang survival, development, protection, at participation ng mga bata.”

The DILG clarified that barangays will not be independently assessed under the CFLGA, as their evaluation is conducted through the Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangays program.

NPO NEWS TEAM | PIA - PR

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