The group, which is composed of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Southern Mindanao, Department of Health (DOH) Southern Mindanao, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Southern Mindanao, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Southern Mindanao, and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Southern Mindanao and dubbed as the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of the Children in Southern Mindanao, expressed through a statement released Friday that the Davao City Government completes its "four gifts" to its children.
"The LDC is one of the four gifts for children. The four gifts for children are: 1) LDPC, 2) Local Investment Plan for Children (LIPC), 3) Local Code for Children (LCC), 4) Local State of the Children Report (LSCR)," the statement said.
"The four gifts, including the LDPC, are basically anchored on the principle of the best interest of the child as embodied in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Philippine Child-Friendly Legislation," the statement added.
"The LDPC is remarkably comprehensive as it addresses the four broad categories of child rights, namely, survival, protection, participation, and development."
The statement added that while there are some issues on some aspects of the LDPC that are objectionable to some sectors of the community; it does not lessen the value of the law much less render the entire document unacceptable.
"Stakeholders can always come together to fix and tie the loose ends on certain issues - this in the best interest of the children," the statement said.
The Catholic Church and some religious groups have aired their opposition to the enactment of the law. Prior to the enactment of the law, Archbishop Fernando Capalla came out with a letter in which he alluded to withholding the holy sacraments from those who will continue to push for such law.
The council, however, voted 18-4-2 in favor of the LDCP. With its approval on second reading, the plan is deemed approved in principle since there will no longer be any discussion when the ordinance is presented for the third reading, as the third reading is but a formality. (CPM)
