CIA WITH BA : ARE LGU'S RESPONSIBLE FOR STREET CHILDREN?

‘CIA with BA’: Are LGUs responsible for street children?

In observance of World Population Day, talk and public service program ‘CIA with BA’ highlighted issues related to community well-being, with a focus on the role of local government units (LGUs) in protecting vulnerable children in the streets.

In the segment ‘Tanong ng Pilipino,’ Gerald from Palawan raised a concern about children in their area who are often left wandering the streets without proper care. Despite multiple reports to their barangay, he said no action had been taken.

“Minsan po, may mga batang iniiwan at pakalat-kalat sa kalsada pero hindi po nila inaaksyunan [ng LGU] kahit ilang ulit nang sinusumbong,” he shared. “May pananagutan po ba [ang] barangay o LGUs kapag pinabayaan nila ang ganitong kaso? Ano po ang dapat gawin?”

Atty. Mark Devoma replied that LGUs indeed have legal responsibility in such situations.

“Meron dapat silang pananagutan kung pababayaan lang nila ang mga batang ito sa kanilang (LGUs) teritoryo,” he said.

He explained that the Philippine Constitution contains provisions specifically protecting children from exploitation, cruelty, and neglect. Various laws also define the responsibilities of barangays, municipalities, and city governments regarding the welfare of street children.

Devoma cited a DSWD memorandum circular that outlines a three-step framework for LGUs: Tawag-Pansin (profiling and identifying the children), Tulong-Tugon (providing support like psychosocial and educational assistance), and Tanggap-Kalinga (offering long-term care through protective custody).

“Kapag ‘yang mga bagay na ‘yan, hindi nagawa, saka po papasok ang pananagutan o liability ng LGUs for failure to implement this kind of policies,” Devoma stressed.

When host Boy Abunda asked what immediate action should be taken, Devoma answered that the priority is to remove the child from danger and place them in a safe facility where they can begin receiving necessary interventions.

“That’s the first goal dapat—to act in the best interest of these children,” he said.

Through this discussion, ‘CIA with BA’ once again provided a platform where real-life concerns lead to deeper understanding of public policy, legal accountability, and the shared responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s children.

Led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Abunda, ‘CIA with BA’ continues the advocacy of the late Senator Rene Cayetano. The program airs every Sunday at 11:00 p.m. on GMA7, with replays every Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on GTV.