The City Government of Mabalacat in Pampanga bested 133 other cities and municipalities in the region as the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 3 conferred the city the Gawad Paglilingkod sa Sambayanan (GAPAS) award at the Ephata Development Center in Maimpis, City of San Fernando on Friday, Feb. 10.
The city was given the award for its commitment on the implementation of quality standard day care services with 100% accreditation marking for both day care centers and workers.
The annual awarding coincides with the 66th anniversary celebration of the DSWD Region III and comes with a theme “Sama-samang Paglilingkod ng may Malasakit”.
DSWD 3 Regional Director Gemma Gabuya said Mabalacat City is with a fully functional barangay council for the protection of children (BCPC) in all the barangays, which contributed to the attainment of the department’s early childhood care and development mandate for pre-school children.
Joining Gabuya in the awarding ceremony are Former Regional Director Adelina Apostol and Assistant Regional Director for Operations Ardo Venus Rebuldela.
According to CSWD Head Josephine Basilio-Tanglao, there are 59 child development centers and one national child development center located at Sapang Biabas here.
A total of 3,127 day care children ages 3 to 4 years old have enrolled this school year.
She also emphasized that Mabalacat City is a two-time awardee of the Seal of Child Friendly City for 2015-2016.
Recently, representatives from the national and regional department have paid a courtesy call to Mayor Marino Morales and conducted a surprise validation to the said centers.
“Natuwa at na-amaze sila na fully operational at in accordance with the national standards ang mga CDCs natin. Regardless kung nasa bundok pa yan (in Monicayo), walang discrimination ang treatment namin sa kanila,” Tanglao added.
Based on the evaluation, Mabalacat made it to the top 4 highly urbanized cities of Iloilo City, Baguio City and Cebu City competing for the national GAPAS award which will be awarded on Feb. 21.
For his part, Vice Mayor Christian Halili who had graced the awarding rights, commended the efforts of Tanglao and the personnel of CSWD for their passion and dedication in promoting social welfare rights of the Mabalaqueños.
Tanglao extended her gratitude to the city officials, Assistant CSWD Head Charlo Costales, Child Development Teacher Minerva Franada and other CSWDO staff.
The other GAPAS awardees are the cities/municipalities of Plaridel, Bulacan as the Model LGU Implementing Protective Programs and Services, Capas in Tarlac as Model LGU Implementing Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and Malolos City, Bulacan as Best People’s Organization – Kapisanan at Saligan ng mga Taong may Kapansanan sa Malolos Incorporated.