The campaign is carried out through information and service caravans that reach parents and children in various barangays. These services include livelihood training, health and social services, and the dissemination of vital information on children’s rights and available opportunities.
“Through this campaign, families were empowered to rebuild their lives as they were equipped with new skills and sustainable sources of income,” Cotabato Province Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza said in her 2025Provincial State of the Children Report delivered on Thursday, November 28, at The Basket, Provincial Capitol, Amas, Kidapawan City. The event was held in line with the 33rd National Children’s Month.
Directly concerned agencies, such as TESDA, SSS, and PhilHealth, also took part in the information and service caravans.
A proud milestone was the awarding of TESDA National Certificates to 35 parents of child laborers giving them new technical skills for sustainable sources of income . Through Project Angel Tree, their children received food packs, hygiene kits and care packages, and small gifts that carried a powerful message that they are seen, valued, and protected.
Mendoza reported that the Cotabato Police Provincial Office (CPPO), through its Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD), likewise intensified its child protection initiatives. A total of 720 information drives were conducted in schools and communities, reaching about 21,978 beneficiaries, including students, parents, and out-of-school youth. Over 43,000 Information Education Campaign (IEC) materials were distributed to raise awareness and prevent abuse, exploitation, and discrimination.
Aligned with the provincial government’s commitment to place every Cotabateño child at the center of local governance, the Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC) crafted a Local Development Plan for Children, envisioning a Child-Friendly Cotabato Province by 2034.
To realize this vision, the provincial government has allocated P45.5 million for child-centered programs covering education, health, nutrition, and protection.
“This is not merely a financial commitment, but a statement of hope and opportunity—supporting programs that expand access to learning, strengthen health care, and protect children from neglect and exploitation,” Mendoza said.