“SALUAD VIGAN”

Empowering and Protecting

Bigueños in times of Disasters

HIGHLIGHTS Then and now, children have remained a top priority as Vigan City continues to implement programs and projects that genuinely address their needs. In fact, a large portion of their annual budget is allocated for children. In 2012, for instance, 55% of Vigan City’s budget went to programs, projects, and activities that protect child rights. In almost everything that the City does, the children’s welfare is a foremost concern, as can be evidenced in its disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) program. The city recognizes that because of its geographical setting, it has become vulnerable to natural hazards that can result in potential threats to its residents and their properties. Meanwhile, the local government used to have limited capacity to protect and prepare its residents from natural calamities, and especially to ensure the protection and welfare of children in such an eventuality. The city has established the Vigan Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Program as a comprehensive response to this concern. Following are the other child-friendly initiatives of the City: 1. “Pagsapulan, Raniag Ti Masakbayan” livelihood program -- to respond to the incidences

of parents with no sustainable livelihood who are unable to support their children, and who may even send their children to work instead of school

2. Children's Health and Nutrition Program -- to address issues such as malnutrition, etc.,

with a comprehensive program to ensure the health of children 3. Special Education and Development -- to assist indigent children with special needs who

are unable to access the care and education that they need 4. Day Care Services/ Education -- to implement an aggressive campaign to promote and

support the educational needs of children and youth

5. Sports, Culture and the Arts -- to emphasize the importance of sportsmanship, culture,

and the arts in the promotion of well-being of children

Introduction A fourth class city with world-class achievements -- this is what Vigan City has become through the years. With its rich culture, historic atmosphere, and picturesque sites, it is no wonder that the city was recognized as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and just recently was hailed as one of the seven wonders cities of the world. Beyond its evident beauty, Vigan City is also a major political, economic, and trading center because of its accessibility and location. It is in fact the center of trade and finance in the Ilocos Region. Much may also be attributed to the influx of local and foreign tourists all year round, warmly greeted by the friendly smiles of its people and the old structures reminiscent of the Spanish colonial times. While it is truly an honor to be known as such, Vigan City also takes pride in its landmark initiatives for Filipino children, a testament of the city’s genuine commitment to protect and promote child rights. These have earned for the city the Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities for three consecutive years (2009-2011) under the component city category, making them the Hall of Fame Awardee in 2011. Then and now, children have remained a top priority as Vigan City continues to implement programs and projects that genuinely address their needs. In fact, a large portion of their annual budget is allocated for children. In 2012, for instance, 55% of Vigan City’s budget went to programs, projects, and activities that protect child rights. In almost everything that the City does, the children’s welfare is a foremost concern, as can be evidenced in its disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) program. The details of this initiative are discussed in the next section.

SALUAD VIGAN: The Vigan Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Program

Vigan City is located in the northern island of Luzon. It is situated at the delta of Abra River, the sixth largest basin in the Philippines, and on the western part of Luzon directly facing the West Philippine Sea and where the Manila Trench, an identified active fault line, is also located. Because of its geographical setting, Vigan has become vulnerable to natural hazards that can result in potential threats to its residents and their properties. Hence, the city thought of a DRRM program that can prepare and protect everyone, especially children, in times of emergencies. Program Description The program is aptly called, “SALUAD VIGAN”. The term “Saluad” is an Ilocano word for protection. It is indeed the intention of the City Government to protect and prepare the Biguenos from any form of natural calamity that might strike their locality at any time. In fact, the program started even prior to the enactment of the country’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010 (Republic Act 10121). Vigan is also the first local government unit to have its own DRRM Council. The program was conceptualized by a technical working group consisting of the City’s Environment Officer, the Sanggunian Chair on Public Safety, the General Services Officer, the City Press Corps, and representatives from partners such as the Red Cross, Vigan Tennis Club, and Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives. With the approval and support of Mayor Eva Marie Singson-Medina, the details of the program were finalized and are geared toward the fulfilment of the following objectives:

To institutionalize an integrated, proactive and responsive DRRM program of the local government unit upholding the constitutional right of life and property of every bigueño;

To build the resilience of the community to disasters and preserve the outstanding universal value of the World Heritage City of Vigan;

To empower the DRRM capacities of the barangay government geared towards a community based disaster risk reduction and management;

To promote and ensure an active involvement of all civil society, NGOs, and other stakeholders in the community on DRRM towards the delivery of effective services to the citizenry; and

To mainstream DRRM in local governance and in all sectors of the society. Key Implementation Steps After a thorough deliberation from the City Council, the “Saluad Vigan” finally took off in 2010 with these major steps. Issuance of the City’s Executive Order No. 17 series of 2010 The Executive Order No. 17 was issued on October 14, 2010 to formally organize the Vigan DRRM Council (refer to Annex A). This consists of representatives from different offices, schools, civil society organizations, and other private groups that are expected to collaborate and perform the following functions:

approve, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the City DRRM Plan and regularly

review and test the plan consistent with other national and local planning programs;

ensure the integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation into local

development plans, programs and budgets as a strategy in sustainable development and poverty reduction;

recommend the implementation of forced or preemptive evacuation of local residents, if necessary; and

convene once every three (3) months or as necessary. Along with the formation of the Vigan DRRM Council, the city also formulated its own DRRM Plan that covers the start-up and other major activities of the program. Establishment of Management Office, Program Desk, and Response Team A Public Safety and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in Vigan City was created through Ordinance No. 04 which took effect on March 28, 2011. This is the City’s compliance to Republic Act 10121, otherwise known as “An Act strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System, providing for the national disaster risk reduction and management framework and institutionalizing the national disaster risk reduction and management plan.”

The existing Public Safety Division under the Office of the Mayor was institutionalized to improve its services. New positions were created based on the qualifications and standards set by the Civil Service Commission.

Vigan City also established its own Vigan Volunteer and Citizenship Desk (VCD) on July 12, 2013 in response to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Circular 2013-27. An Emergency Response Team was likewise formed on February 14, 2014 through Executive Order No. 05-B. The team’s primary responsibility is to conduct rescue / recovery operations during emergency situations. It responds based on the rescue protocol stated in the Saluad Handbook for Vigan disaster / incident responders. Capability trainings for disaster responders The city government provides trainings and workshops to fully equip the CDRRM team with the knowledge and skills on how to properly respond in times of emergencies. Likewise, they are encouraged to participate in seminar/trainings initiated at the national and regional level. The Council has also produced a handbook for disaster managers, called the “Oplan Saluad”.

Conduct of barangay workshops Seminars and workshops were conducted to barangay officials and community leaders which aided them to come up with their own hazard maps and barangay DRRM plan, and to formulate protocols during evacuation at their level. They were reminded to always find out the location of the vulnerable sectors like the children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women who should all be prioritized during evacuation.

Through these activities, all the 39 barangays of the city were able to accomplish their hazard maps and their own BDRRM plans which also contributed to the formulation of the city’s DRRM plan.

Building networks and linkages A Memorandum of Agreement between the City Government of Vigan and its seven (7) neighboring municipalities (Bantay, Sta. Catalina, Caoayan, Sto. Domingo, San Vicente and Santa), also known as the “Metro Vigan Coordinating Council”, was executed on September 8, 2008. It focuses on the consolidation and coordination of efforts and resources between and among the said LGUs to allow for a more efficient complementation of programs and activities. Futher, a Memorandum of Understanding was also made between the Philippine Red Cross – Ilocos Sur Chapter, and the City Government, represented by the City Health Office. Vigan City also entered into a partnership with JTC Supermarket and also with Two Brothers Grocery, on July 1, 2010 and March 12, 2014, respectively. These partnerships primarily aim to extend credit lines and ensure supply relief goods needed by the city government in times of disaster and other emergency-related operations.

Table 1. Summary of Key Implementation Steps and Resource Requirements Implementation Steps Time Frame Estimated Budget

Conceptualization:

o Meetings (Presentation and discussion of the concept of the project)

o TWG meeting (brainstorming, consultation and finalization)

1 month

Php 5,000.00

Implementation:

o Issuance of the City’s Executive Order, specifying the composition of CDRRM and their functions

o Formulation of the City Risk Reduction and Management Plan, specifying programs/projects with corresponding fund allocation

o Network linkages (NGOs, CSOs, Academe, private sectors, and other stakeholders to serve as support system in times of emergencies/disasters)

o Purchase of tools, equipment and supplies

1 month

Whole duration of the

program

Indicated in the CDRRM plan (As advised

by Vigan, an LGU who plans to replicate

the program may initially purchase

equipment/tools based on their necessity

or priority)

Conduct of capability trainings, seminars,

workshops

o City disaster managers/responders o Barangay officials and community

leaders

Whole duration of the

program

Php 300,000.00

Php 50,000.00

(Budget for capability building is allocated

every year depending on the training

needs.)

Monitoring and Evaluation

o Consultation meeting with partner stakeholders

Quarterly

Php 10,000.00

Program Components a. Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Projects The projects and activities under this component center on preparing people and helping at risk communities to respond appropriately in times of imminent threat or an actual disaster. It also includes preventive measures to help reduce the possible impact of disasters on society and environment. Some of the activities undertaken are the following:

Distribution of the Saluad Survival Kit and Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook to all the 12,000 households in Vigan. The kit contains a reflectorized bag, rope, flashlight with batteries, waterproof match, whistle, triangular bandage, elastic bandage, povidone iodine, water purifying tablets and how-to-use guide.

All the 39 barangays, through their emergency response team, were given a power generator, motorcycle barangay service and tri-cab multi-service to help in their disaster response operations.

Fire and Earthquake drills to all elementary, secondary and tertiary schools and business establishments of the city and tsunami drill to all tsunami-prone barangays

Establishment of the Baybay (Sea) Watch and the River Patrol equipped with

three (3) Jet Skis life vests, life rings and plastic/ aluminum boats

Posting of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials in all public schools of the city

Conduct of lessons on disaster preparedness for children, usually in public schools; use of animation in coordination with TVigan, the local station in-charge of preparing the story line

Conduct of fire, tsunami and earthquake drills for children with disabilities (CWDs) in the Stimulation and Therapeutic Center (STAC). There are also audio-visual emergency signages and signals in strategic areas of STAC as guide for CWDs in times of emergencies.

b. Disaster Response Project This includes measures taken immediately after a disaster, meant primarily to save lives, reduce human health risks, and protect properties. Thus, Vigan City established its own DRRM Office and Emergency Disaster Operation Center. Special teams such as the Vigan Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) Unit (trained by the Philippine Coast Guard), the Vigan Paramedics (on-duty 24/7), and quick response teams comprised of city employees were also formed for this purpose, The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel were also equipped further being at the forefront in responding to emergency situations.

c. Disaster Rehabilitation Project This includes measures taken to restore disaster-affected communities/areas to their proper or normal level of functioning or actual condition, usually by rebuilding their livelihood resources and damaged infrastructures, and increasing the communities’ organizational capacity. It likewise involves provision of financial and shelter assistance to victims of disaster. Project Budget The City Government of Vigan has allocated a total budget of P 9,716,129.55 for the Saluad Vigan program, a large portion of which was intended for disaster preparedness and mitigation, as presented in the table below.

Table 2. Saluad Vigan Program’s Budget Requirement Programs/Projects/Activities Budget Requirement

PREPAREDNESS AND MITIGATION

1. Strengthening the City DRRM Council, DRRM Training and IEC Campaign Php 200,000.00

2. Establishment of CDRRM Office Php 200,000.00

3. Establishment of community-based early warning system Php 100,000.00

4. Formulation and production of Disaster Risk Reduction Preparedness and First Aid

Handbook (for 12,000 households)

Php 600,000.00

5. Distribution of Emergency/survival kit to all households in Vigan Php 3,600,000.00

(P300.00/kit x 12,000

households)

6. Installation of Tsunami hazard sign and safe zones in identified tsunami prone

barangays (Pantay Laud, Mindoro, San Pedro, Barraca, Pong-ol, western part of

Salindeg and southern part of Paratong)

Php 200,000.00

7. Purchase of disaster/emergency equipment, tools and supplies

2 unit outboard motor

2 unit aluminum boats with outboard motor

4 pcs diving suit/SCUBA equipment

4 pcs spine board

4 units intubation kit

1 unit magnetic situation map/board

1 unit damage reportwhiteboard

1 unit portable weather station (Davis) – measures temperature & humidity, rain, wind speed, moon, phase, etc

1 unit GPS

50 pcs reflectorized vest for operations

Php 741,129.55

8. Establishment of Instant Damayan SMS Emergency Information Management

System

Php 75,000.00

9. Construction of Protective Infrastructures – sea walls/hexapods in coastal barangay Php 2,000,000.00

10. Tree planting and greening program c/o Annual Development Plan

11. Formulation of the local climate change action plan

QUICK RESPONSE PROJECT

1. Activation of the command communication and control unit in affected areas

Php 1,000,000.00 2. Mobilization of alert operations and security measures in affected areas

3. Mobilization of Rescue vehicles and other paraphernalia in affected areas

4. Provision of ready to eat foods to affected of calamities (on site)

5. Provision of emergency medical assistance to persons in need (on site)

6. Distribution of relief goods (on site)

7. Mobilization of health services (on site)

8. Conduct of damage and needs assessment

REHABILITATION (POST DISASTER)

1. Systematic assessment of the severity of damages (on site)

Php 1,000,000.00 2. Rehabilitation of affected areas and victims (on site & evacuation centers)

3. Maintenance of evacuation centers (on site)

4. Provision of post disaster facilities and other needs on affected areas

TOTAL Php 9,716,129.55

Other Notable Features Vigan City, being a child-friendly LGU, ensures that child rights are protected in all its programs/projects. For instance, it encourages the communities to identify and utilize other spaces, instead of their public schools, for their evacuation requirements during disasters. In fact, other barangays already have their own structures that serve exclusively as evacuation centers. Other barangays are expected to follow suit to ensure that the affected families, especially children, are provided with a safe temporary shelter in times of disaster. The City Government also formulated the Guidelines for the Management of Evacuation Centers to ensure system and order in the management of evacuation centers. This is in line with the new mandate of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide technical assistance to the LGUs through the provision of immediate assistance to disaster victims, not only after the immediate impact of disaster but even before the occurrence of the threat. Part of the rules under the said guidelines is the formulation and adoption of measures to prevent sexual violence in evacuation centers and relocation sites. This includes the following:

Conduct of master listing of families evacuated including their members to be posted in their respective rooms;

Orientation/briefing shall be provided by the center in charge to the evacuees on the house rules particularly on the measures to prevent sexual violence inside the evacuation center:

- Close supervision of parents, guardians to their children - Prohibition of seductive attires - Everyone shall be in their designated rooms before the imposed curfew hour (9:00PM-5:00AM)

- Intoxicating drinks, drugs, cigarettes not allowed inside the evacuation center

Identification/selection of respective room leaders;

Special attention shall be given to PWDs, elderly, pregnant women;

For children with no parents, he/she should be under the custody of the social worker assigned in the evacuation center;

At least 1 toilet for every 20 person maximum of 1 minimum walk from dwelling to toilet and presence of door locks;

Imposition of curfew hour in the evacuation area (9:00PM-5:00AM);

Assignment of separate rooms for single male and female evacuees with corresponding room leaders, round the clock;

Deployment of PNP personnel or barangay tanods to secure the area on 24 hour basis;

Viable communication facilities for timely, accurate and clear dissemination and warning, to include city hotline number in case of emergency.

Significant Results

As how CDRRMC Officer, Ms. Mila Alquisa, puts it, “You can never determine the capacity of your program without actual experiences.” The city government has recorded zero casualty since the Saluad Vigan program started in 2009. The preparedness of the entire city is evidently better than it was years back like when it was hit by Typhoon Feria in 2001.

Efforts to strengthen advocacy campaigns/activities, awareness and practices on DRRM among the Bigueños have increased, and even the young Biguenos were involved.

The Disaster Risk Management for the Historic City of Vigan Program of the city government was featured as a Best Practice Case Study (Case Study 23) in the UNESCO World Heritage Manual, “Managing Disaster Risks for World Heritage” published worldwide in 2010 by the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.

BOTTLENECK ANALYSIS

Enabling Environment Supply Demand Quality

Bottleneck Description

The local government has limited capacity to protect and prepare its residents from natural calamities, and especially to ensure the protection and welfare of children in such an eventuality.

Because of its geographical setting, Vigan has become vulnerable to natural hazards that can result in potential threats to its residents and their properties. Children become more vulnerable in times of disasters

Policy/ Programme Intervention

A large portion of (the LGU's) annual budget is allocated for children. In 2012, for instance, 55% of Vigan City’s budget went to programs, projects, and activities that protect child rights. Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121) Issuance of EO No. 17 series of 2010 MOA between Vigan City and its 7 neighboring municipalities Partnership with private companies (supermarkets) Designate space for evacuation

centers (not schools)

Vigan Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Program -formation of DRRM Council -formulation of DRRM Plan -establishment of Management Office, Program Desk, and Response Team -capacity-building for disaster responders

Children are one of the priorities during disaster For children without parents, they should be under the custody of the social worker in the evacuation center

Indicators for Monitoring

Number of people trained and are actually utilized to respond in times of disasters

Number of children rescued and

provided with services in times of

disaster

Number of families prepared and

rescued during disaster

Zero casualty during disaster Bigueños know what to do in times of disasters. Schools are no longer used as evacuation centers

Truly, Vigan’s move to enhance its capacity on DRRM is another initiative worth emulating. It is remarkable that in planning and implementing such kind initiative, children remain one of their foremost concerns, just like in their other projects as further discussed in the next section. Other Child-Friendly Practices

Livelihood Program

The “Pagsapulan, Raniag Ti Masakbayan” is a livelihood program that highlights the importance of having a sustainable livelihood for the parents that they may be able to support their children, without compromising their basic rights. Through this project, children are sent to school instead of asking them to work. The program has three major components:

a) Capacity-development for indigent parents through the Vigan Skills Training Institute (VSTI);

b) Financial assistance through soft loans for small- and medium-entrepreneurs, One Town, One Product (OTOP) manufactures, farmers, fisherfolks, and cooperatives through a partnership with the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives; and

c) Direct livelihood assistance for families considered as ‘poorest of the poor’. Among the accomplishments of the project include:

1. Increased potential in entrepreneurship of its beneficiaries. Many of the recipients have been successful in their own enterprises, particularly those who were given direct assistance.

2. Good credit record of borrowers with a 98% repayment rate. This shows that the

financial assistance program, which allows borrowers to pay in accordance to their livelihood (i.e. farmers and fishermen) coupled with zero-interest soft loan, is beneficial and doable even for small businesses, farmers, and fisherfolks.

3. Increase in the monthly income of beneficiaries. Monthly income of small- and

medium-entrepreneurs increased by 7.5%; farmers and fishermen by 17.50% and OTOP manufacturers by 23.60%. Manpower development through capability enhancement has resulted in 100% utilization of the skills according to the tracking system conducted by the VSTI in 2011.

4. Recipients of the project are earning enough to support the daily school needs of

their children. 5. Health conditions have also generally improved. The occurrence rate of

malnutrition has decreased to 3.7% in 2012. Immunization and prenatal checkups are now at 100% in 2012 while facility-based maternal delivery among pregnant women increased to 99% in 2012 from 58% in 2008.

Overall, the program has helped decrease the poverty incidence in the city. From 23% in 2009, the poverty incidence level is now at 7.72%.

Children’s Health and Nutrition Program

Vigan City has its health program, “Batang Bigueñio, sa Alagang Wasto, Lalaking Bibo” that primarily centers on promoting healthy living, proper nutrition, and good grooming in children. The city also has other programs for the health and nutrition needs of children such as the advocacy on breastfeeding, body mass index monitoring, treatment for visually impaired children, and promotion of healthy pregnancy and babies for expectant mothers through the new 24-hour maternity and newborn care lying-in clinic. The nutrition education and feeding program has effectively contributed to the decrease in occurrences of malnutrition in children. Breastfeeding rooms are constructed in the city hall as well as the public market to promote breastfeeding for infants. The city also has a bio-intensive gardening project that caters to malnourished children and 4Ps beneficiaries, wherein fruit and vegetables are grown in their backyards or in school grounds to address their dietary requirements.

Special Education and Development Vigan City’s STAC provides services to Children with Disabilities, particularly for their early childhood development and education. It offers physical therapy, motor skill, and social exercises to CWDs, from the infant stage till age 14. The City likewise provides supplemental feeding and conducts special olympics for CWDs. Donations are also utilized for the purchase of ant-seizure drugs, honorarium for specialists, and transportation allowance for indigent children.

Day Care services/Education

Education is considered as one the main thrusts of the city government, hence, Vigan has taken an aggressive campaign to promote and support the educational needs of children and youth. This is evident through the investments made to ensure that each barangay has its own day care center. All day care teachers are paid for by the city government and treated as government personnel (in a plantilla capacity). They are continuously equipped with the knowledge and skills required of their job. The city government likewise provides school materials and supplies and even school wear (i.e. rubber shoes) to all public elementary and high school students. Through this, the children are motivated to go to school while also helping their indigent families lessen their expenses. Materials such as I Am a Bigueño Workbook for Grades 4 to 6

students, Our Vigan Activity Book for Grades 1 to 3 students, and coloring book for pre-school kids are also published and distributed. Other initiatives on education include speech laboratories that are set up to improve English proficiency. As of 2013, three (3) national high schools now have resource centers for English. Trainings for teachers of the alternative learning system for out-of-school youth are also provided. Capability courses for the alternative learning system that are provided by VSTI include handicraft making, dressmaking, tailoring, and bag making. The Vigan LGU also has a scholarship program called “Iskolar ng Vigan”, which provides financial assistance to high school and college students with honors as well as children of personnel engaged in public service (i.e. PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and Vigan LGU). Many of these scholars have been given employment opportunities in the city government after graduation. Furthermore, Internet and intranet connections through the Wimax Technology are also provided to all public schools in Vigan through the E-Vigan Inter-Governmental Agency Network, which greatly improves research and communications of the educational system in the city. This is considered a major advantage for the public school system of Vigan since not every public school in the country has access to an Internet connection.

Sports, Culture and the Arts

Vigan also considers the importance of sportsmanship, culture, and the arts in the promotion of well-being of children. Through events such as the Children’s Month celebration that highlights the children themselves, the youth of Vigan are given the chance to perform in various activities such as theater and dance. The city has its own children’s theatre group that is strongly supported by the city government. There are also events that recognize children and youth who excel in academics, the arts, and sports. Sports activities such as free clinics and competition events for swimming, basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, boxing, taekwondo, chess, gymnastics, arnis, and billiards are conducted in order to promote sportsmanship, teamwork and unity among the youth and children of Vigan. The Vigan LGU also has its own cable television network, TVigan. It specifically caters to the promotion of child-friendly information, education and entertainment, through programs such as K-Vigan or Kabataan ng Vigan, which has been designed for the youth. There are also programs and events that recognize excellence in leadership and social responsibility among the youth. The first Students’ Congress has led to the development of the Student Code of Conduct and Discipline now adopted by both public and private schools in Vigan. In addition, student leaders are given trainings on empowering youth leadership through a partnership with the US Peace Corps.

The city also has a children’s museum known as Buridek: Vigan Children’s Museum, which provides a fun, learning and interactive experience to children while also fostering their educational and cultural development. This Museum is the first in Ilocandia and the third in the entire country. Lessons Learned Some of the important lessons learned in the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of the project has to do with a cooperative and participative Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC). According to Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie Singson-Medina, the mobilization of support she needed for the project was not a problem because of the willingness of council members to cooperate and participate in terms of making child education viable. As a result, the complete functionality of the LCPC was ensured. In fact, for Vigan City, they have included four (4) child representatives – three from high school and one from elementary to be part of the Council. For Mayor Medina, it is important to hear what the children have to say—what they actually need, to be able to consult them and provide their specific needs. She believes that the right people can give the most useful and helpful feedback, which is an essential factor in building and strengthening partnerships. This is also the reason why Vigan has endeavored to include several partners such as non-government organizations, barangay officers, CSWDO and even the parents of the students. Full cooperation is also an important factor in the implementation process, not only among members of the LCPC or between agencies or government units but also, from the families themselves. An objective approach should be applied in order to avoid conflicts among families. The LCPC members have identified that good planning and consultation is essential in implementing the project. Through actual consultations at the barangay level, Vigan has been successful in selecting the recipients for the project. Involvement of and actual inputs from children are always considered at the planning/development stage. Strong participation and pro-activeness of the barangay council is also essential in implementing the project at the local level. While it has already earned the Hall of Fame Award for its child-friendly initiatives, there is indeed no stopping for Vigan City as it embarks on new programs and projects for children while sustaining previous initiatives that have made a great impact on the young Bigueños of our time.

References Department of the Interior and Local Government. (2012). Local Governance

Performance Management System. Retrieved from http://www.blgs.gov.ph/lgpmsv2/cmshome/

City Government of Vigan. (2012). Fourth City Council Appropriation Ordinance No. 06, Series of 2011

City Government of Vigan. (2014). State of the Children Report 2013 Interviews with: Hon. Eva Marie Singson-Medina, Vigan City Mayor Ms. Elsie Pastor, Day Care worker Ms. Mila Alquisa, CDRRMC Officer Focus Group Discussion with: Vigan – LCPC members

ANNEX A - Executive Order No. 17 series of 2010 (page 1)

ANNEX A - Executive Order No. 17 series of 2010 (page 2)