BAGUIO CITY – Baguio City has made it to the final cut in the national 'Search for Child-friendly City 2011' by the National Juvenile Justice Welfare Council (NJJW).

This, amidst unfounded fears of worsening peace and order wrought by apparent 'isolated cases' of violence against minors.

During the weekly 'Ugnayan' presser sponsored by DZEQ Radio ng Bayan, October 5, mayor Mauricio Domogan revealed the city is pitted with the cities of Olongapo, Bacolod, and Mandaluyong for the annual award to be conferred President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III in Malacanang October 28.

A multi-agency NJJC team composed of reps from the National Economic Development Administration (NEDA), Department of Health (DOH), National Juvenile Justice Welfare Council (JJWC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), among others, is currently in the city validating projects, programs and facilities geared towards addressing multifarious concerns of minors.

They are set to visit randomly chosen barangays to conduct their validation which include City Camp Proper, North Sanitary Camp, San Luis Village, Gabriela Silang, and Lower Magsaysay.

"The team," Domogan explained, "Is here to verify local projects implemented by non-government organizations and the local government."

"We – the City Council for the Protection of Children (CCPC) composed of NG had a lengthy discussion with members of the national judging committee where partnership between the local government and private organizations were highlighted and for which we have earned the nomination."

During said discussions, the city took pride in its City Government-NGO run "Center for Kids" in Balenben, Irisan.

Among others, it was revealed that even before passage of the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act (RA 9344) in 2007, the City already had a facility wherein which, the diversion program for Children in Conflict with Law (CICL) was already being implemented.

24-minors are currently undergoing diversion in the facility reported City Social Welfare and Development chief Betty Fangasan. Baguio is the one of the few cities where kids no longer share jail cells with adults.

On top of this, the CCPC likewise revealed the nationally recognized "Brotherhood for Peace" – a group of youngsters formerly involved in gangs and fraternities are helping put an end to senseless violence involving kids in the city through youth-led projects.

Domogan said, "Kids welfare and education have always been our priorities."

"As a matter of fact, the working ties of NGO with government in our city are incomparable to say the least as we have projects like the Eco-walk regreening project being implemented by the kids themselves."

Domogan bared the city also has the private-led Child and Family Services, the Baguio Center for Young Adults, and the city's internet-based 'Bondying Project' catering to reproductive health care and psycho-social needs of teens.

To these Fangasan seconded that the Barangay Youth Welfare Councils, the Baguio Anti-Drug Council and its school-based counterparts address the need for avenues where kids can be involved in addressing peace and order concerns directly.

Earlier Domogan stressed, "Despite sufficiency of projects and facilities for kids, there is a need for parents to get involved in maintaining peace and order in the city if only to secure safety of our kids."

"Discipline should start at home, after all."