Young Voices Call for Responsive Governance
QUEZON CITY — Children and youth from World Vision communities in Quezon City, Malabon City, and Manila City recently took part in discussions and consultations with local government officials about their opinions and recommendations on issues affecting them and their urban communities.
The activity forms part of World Vision’s ongoing efforts to promote child participation and contribute to the Open Government Partnership (OGP), a multi-stakeholder initiative that promotes transparency, accountability, and responsive governance.
Among the issues and recommendations that children shared with government staff are:
- better school facilities
- healthy food in school canteens
- strengthen children’s participation in their community’s Council for the Protection of Children
- inclusion of child-friendly spaces in evacuation centers
- better reporting mechanism to report bullying in schools
- regular seminars among parents and teens to prevent teen pregnancy
- improve waste management by increasing garbage collection schedules
“We at the local government will continue to support you and adapt programs that are responsive to children,” Malabon Council Member Ed Antoja said.
“This is a good venue to listen to you. The Sangguniang Kabataan should really listen to these issues you raised,” Andersen Perez, Manila’s Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson, said.
Quezon City’s Barangay and Community Relations Department Officer, Abigail Lagula, shared, “Quezon City has an annual allotted budget on children’s consultation to ensure that your voices are heard and become part of our program.”
The dialogue gave children a better understanding of governance processes while building their confidence to engage with leaders and decision-makers in their communities. For many participants, it was an opportunity to realize that their voices matter in shaping a responsive government.
“I learned how to think about solutions and work with other children,” Sammaire, 14, from Quezon City, said.
“I saw now how our voices can be a big step towards a better community for us,” Princess, 16, from Malabon, shared.
“It’s really important that we are aware of the issues in our communities. This children’s activity is really timely and helpful,” Arnel, 17, from Manila, said.
Launched in 2011, OGP now has 77 countries, 150 local governments, and thousands of civil society organizations as members. In the Philippines, the only members of the OGP Local Program are South Cotabato, Baguio City, Quezon City, Tagbilaran City, and the Municipality of Larena in Siquijor. (LRC – Advocacy Communications Officer || photos by Edwin David Priete – Multimedia Specialist)
