OLONGAPO: CONTENDER FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY CITY- NATIONAL LEVEL

Olongapo City went under a two-day evaluation by the validating team to judge and rate the city for the Search for the 2008 Presidential Awards for Child-Friendly- National Level, City Category.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. gladly received the national validation team which include Lilia San Vicente from the Department of Education (DepEd), Andre Canilang and Froilan Flores from the Council for the Welfare of Children when they arrived at the FMA Hall of the City Hall on February 18, 2010.

Representatives from National Sub-committee for the Welfare of Children which consists of the Department of Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education and Department of Agriculture (DA) also rated Olongapo City for the search.

Also, members of the committee are the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), National Nutrition Council and Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

“Olongapo is a multi-awarded city,” Mayor Bong Gordon said. “Kabilang sa mga programang tinututukan ng lungsod para sa mga kabataan ay ang health, education, environment, peace and order, sports, nutrition, pagsasa-ayos sa iba’t-ibang pasilidad, curfew, total firecracker ban at marami pang iba.”

The evaluation team picked Barangays Gordon Heights and West Bajac-Bajac through a raffle which determined the barangays they will visit. Part of the team’s itinerary was to visit James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital (JLGMH), Health Centers, Day Care Centers, schools and the Social Development Centers (SDC) and OCARE.

“Ang Makati City at ang Puerto Princesa ang dalawang mabigat na katunggali ng Olongapo sa titulo ngunit naniniwala ako sa maraming programa ng lungsod para sa kapakanan ng mga bata,” City Social Welfare and Development Office Head Gene Eclarino said.

Olongapo City recently won the “Most Child Friendly City” in the entire Region III making it the region’s bet for the national level.

Pao/Jordan