Women, children get special Soca mention

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio yesterday revealed a lot of big ticket projects, economic gains, and other accomplishments under her 10-point agenda during her State of the City address (Soca).

However, among those that stood out was the city government’s effort to make this growth inclusive, especially for women and children.

The mayor’s Soca focused on Byaheng DO30, which summarized the three-year initiative for at least 30 doable and meaningful projects under her administration’s priorities: Poverty

alleviation, Infrastructure Development, Solid Waste Management, Education, Health, Agriculture, Tourism, Transportation Planning and Traffic Management, Peace and Order, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation.

“These projects would contribute to the security and sustainable development of Davao City. We can achieve security and development if we are able to reduce poverty incidence, create a skilled and educated workforce, and support globally competitive businesses,” Duterte-Carpio said.

She also announced the launching of the year city’s newest program dubbed “PagbaBago,” a campaign that aims to encourage children to study harder and for women to active involve in family planning and responsible parenthood.

Under the program, the city will distribute bags with specific educational materials to inspire children, and women to aim for a better future for their families.

“Education and planned responsible parenthood are our keys to overcome poverty,” she said.

“The City Government of Davao envisions a future for Davao City, where families can provide sufficient food for themselves, their children are skilled or college graduates, and they live in decent housing,” Duterte-Carpio added.

However, the city’s accomplishments also do not end in mere economic accomplishments for those who have less in life.

“The Almighty has been very kind since we have not had a child death due to abuse in the past six months,” she announced.

This, she credited to the establishment of the Kean Gabriel Hotline, 09088184444. Since its establishment, the city has rescued 483 abused children.

She reported that for the past six months, no child was killed because of abuse in Davao City.

The city government also allocated P50 million for the establishment, operation and maintenance; and Upgrading and Standardization of Residential Facilities for children, women and the elderly, to satisfactorily meet the accreditation requirements of DSWD Standards Bureau.

Because of this, Crisis Intervention Center (CIC) Balay Dangupan was accredited as First Level on August 2, 2016, while the Co Su Gian Home for the Aged and Abandoned Elderly, was accredited Second Level on August 3, 2016.

The city governments also maintain the following centers: Paginhawaan Drop-In Center for Abandoned and Neglected Street Children, Sidlakan for Victims of Domestic Violence, Lingap Center for Mentally-Challenged Children, BahayPag-asa for Children in Conflict with the Law and the Quick Response Team for Children’s Concerns. CIO