The Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPC) shall be the main conduit through which local stakeholders – including child-focused institutions and non-government organizations (NGOs), and people’s and youth organizations – are consulted and their meaningful participation ensured in the planning and implementation of interventions and programs for children.
This is to ensure that children’s rights and welfare are mainstreamed in the development plans of the Local Government Units (LGUs) in all levels.
Composition:
All members of the LCPCs shall be chosen from among the responsible members of the community, including a representative from the children sector as well as representative from the government and private agencies concerned with the welfare of children.
Chairperson: Punong Barangay
Vice Chairperson: Sangguniang Barangay Member (Kagawad) sitting as Chair of the Committee on Women and Family
Members:
- Barangay Violence Against Women (VAW) Desk Person/Officer
- Barangay Day Care/Child Development Worker
- Barangay Midwife
- Barangay Health Worker
- Barangay Nutrition Scholar
- Chief Tanod
- Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson
- Child Representative
- DepEd Principal/Teacher-in-Charge or the Child Protection Committee (CPC) Coordinator
- Parent Representative
- Others (may include representatives from CSO partners, or Council of Elders for BLGUs with Indigenous Peoples)
The Child Representative must be:
- Must be between 10-15 years old
- Must be an active participant of the community
- Must be an active member of an accredited/recognized organization in the barangay, school or faith-based groups
- Must be able to articulate children’s issues and concerns
- Must have at least a residency of one (1) year in the Barangay
- Must have good leadership skills
- Must have balanced views on gender, religion and ethnicity, and disabilities.
The Parent Representative may come from an LGU-recognized parents’ organization or organized 4Ps community/barangay level parent leaders. He/She should be the head, or holds a position of influence, within the organization.
Function
The BCPCs shall be the operational LCPC units at the community-level. They shall be the functional units to assist local and national authorities in the identification, implementation and monitoring of programs, projects and activities (PPAs) for the promotion of child welfare and the protection of their rights especially those focused on the survival, development, protection and participation of children. They shall assist and support barangay officials in the latter’s work as custodians of children’s rights as emphasized in DILG MC No. 2016-115.
The BCPC shall perform the following functions:
- Establish and maintain an updated and dis-aggregated database on children within the barangay;
- Prepare an Annual Work and Financial Plan (AWFP-LCPC WFP Form 001-A) consistent with its functions as provided herein and in the Barangay EO creating it.
- Make recommendations to the barangay on policies and PPAs relative to the promotion of the rights and welfare of children for inclusion in the comprehensive and annual development plan of the Barangay;
- Perform functions related to its mandate as provided by national laws and policies concerning the protection, intervention, assistance, and other interference necessary to promote the rights and needs of children-in-conflict with the law, children-at-risk, and children in need of special protection;
- Document the barangay’s PPAs and accomplishments on children;
- Coordinate its efforts with the concerned barangay officials as well as the higher level LGU exercising jurisdiction over it;
- Conduct of advocacy activities on the promotion and protection of the rights and welfare of children including the development of information, education and advocacy materials; and
- Organize the necessary documents needed by the concerned IMTF.
Note that the BCPC’s AWFP shall be submitted to the Barangay before the schedule of budget preparations to ensure incorporation and funding in the Barangay Annual Investment Program
(AlP). The AWFP shall be accompanied by a budget proposal or draft Sangguniang Barangay Ordinance providing funds for the BCPC.
BCPC Sub-Committees
In order to perform its mandate efficiently and ensure inclusivity and participation of all stakeholders, the LCPC may organize sub-committees based on the four core rights of children (survival, development, protection, and participation) as it deems necessary. This may be included in the ordinance or executive order issued upon the creation of the LCPC.
BCPC Secretariat
The barangay secretary shall serve as the BCPC Secretariat and shall perform the following functions:
- Coordinate with BCPC members;
- Prepare agenda for the BCPC;
- Prepare minutes of the BCPC meeting;
- Follow-through action points and agreements from the BCPC meetings;
- Maintain and update relevant data/information/document of the Council;
- Prepare accomplishment report of the BCPC; and
- Monitor services and programs related to LCPC.
Meetings
The BCPC shall have regular quarterly meetings, and/or as the need arises. Meetings shall be presided by the Chair or the Vice-Chair. In the absence of both, the members present constituting a quorum shall elect among themselves the presiding officer with a majority vote. However, when budgetary proposals are being considered, the Chair must be present. The meetings conducted shall be evidenced by Minutes of Meetings, duly signed by the Secretariat Head and the attendees, including the attendance sheet.
Budget and Funding Sources
Pursuant to Section 15 of Republic Act No. 9344, one percent (1%) of the internal revenue allotment of barangays, municipalities and cities shall be allocated for the strengthening and implementation of the programs, projects and activities of the LCPC provided, such allocation shall be disbursed in accordance
with the AWFP endorsed by the BCPC to the local Sanggunian.
The BLGUs may increase allocation for BCPC from the 1% requirement of RA 9344 to ensure that all plans for children are provided with funds and implemented.
References:
- DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2021-039 dated April 7, 2021 entitled “Comprehensive Guidelines for the Establishment, Strengthening, and Monitoring of Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) at All Levels and for Other Purposes“
- DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2008-126 dated August 21, 2008 entitled “Revised Guidelines in Monitoring the Functionality of Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) at All Levels and for Other Purposes“
- DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2004-052 dated May 13, 2004 entitled “Creation Of A Sub-Committee Of The Barangay Council For The Protection Of Children (Bcpc) To Be Called Sub-Committee On Bright Child (Scbc) In Every Barangay“
- Republic Act No. 9344 otherwise known as “An Act Establishing A Comprehensive Juvenile Justice And Welfare System, Creating The Juvenile Justice And Welfare Council Under The Department Of Justice, Appropriating Funds Therefor And For Other Purposes“