CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Central Luzon Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) led the conduct of the Gawad Makabata Awards 2025, in celebration of the 33rd National Children’s Month.
The annual event gathered local councils for the protection of children, private establishments, youth organizations, and advocates, all working toward a shared mission of creating safe and empowering spaces for children. It also served as a platform to highlight collaborative efforts to advance child welfare programs, strengthen community-based mechanisms, and promote policies that safeguard the rights of the young.
DSWD Regional Director Venus Rebuldela underscored in her remarks the importance of collective action in child protection.
“This celebration is proof that we are stronger together that every effort we make today contributes to a safer, more nurturing, and more empowering future for the children of our region.” she stressed
“The Gawad Makabata Awards is a gentle reminder that when we work together, we can build a society and communities which will continue to uplift families and children.” she added.
Among those honored under the Child Organizations Category were the Federation of Olongapo City Children’s Organization and the Local Youth Development Council of the City of Balanga, Bataan, both recognized for their active engagement in youth-led initiatives and child advocacy.
In the Local Chief Executives Category, eight mayors were commended for their exemplary leadership in promoting child-friendly governance.
The awardees were Vilma Caluag of the City of San Fernando, Pampanga; John Paul Balmores of Pura, Tarlac; May Eclar of Gerona, Tarlac; Rolen Paulino Jr. of Olongapo City; Enrico Roque of Pandi, Bulacan; Leonardo Valeda of Obando, Bulacan; Fernando Galvez Jr. of San Ildefonso, Bulacan; and Glorime Faustino of Calumpit, Bulacan.
Thirteen local councils were recognized under the Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPC) and Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC) categories for their sustained efforts in implementing child protection programs.
These included the LCPCs of Pura, Moncada, and Camiling in Tarlac; the City of San Jose Del Monte, Obando, Pandi, San Ildefonso, and Calumpit in Bulacan; Olongapo City, the City of Balanga, Floridablanca, and the City of San Fernando in Pampanga; and the PCPC of Tarlac.
Also, the Regional Presidential Awards for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities honor the best LGUs in four categories.
Talugtug, Nueva Ecija, won in the 4th to 6th Class Municipalities Category. Casiguran, Aurora, won in the 1st to 3rd Class Municipalities Category.
In addition, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija was named one of the best Component Cities, and Angeles City won the prize for Highly Urbanized Cities.
For his part, the Commission on Human Rights Regional Director Leorae Valmonte emphasized that the Gawad Makabata Awards remind us of a timeless truth.
“It takes a whole village to raise a child. Real progress requires the sustained cooperation of government institutions, civil society, communities, and families. Protecting children has always been and must always remain a shared responsibility.” He noted.
They were evaluated by RSCWC for compliance with child-friendly governance standards, the impact of child protection programs, and their ability to foster multi-sectoral collaboration. Additionally, assessments encompassed documentation review, field validation, and final deliberation to ascertain that recognized individuals and institutions had made sustained and meaningful contributions to child welfare in Central Luzon. (MJSC/AJMP, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)