For consistently implementing programs for children, Dumaguete City has been adjudged as one of the four most child-friendly cities in the Philippines this year.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Marina Mendoza, who went to Manila to receive the award in Malacañang, said the city has also won three times as the most child friendly city in Central Visayas.

The city is expected to receive an award of P300,000 from the national government, Mendoza said adding she believes that Dumaguete was cited for its several sustaining projects for children. She said under the law, there must be day care center in every barangay, but in Dumaguete, there are already 60 day care centers put up by the city in 30 barangays. These are manned by highly trained teachers.

The city has also institutionalized the back to school program where it allocated funds for the uniform and school supplies of elementary and high school students.

Mendoza said the Dumaguete government also put up the street education program for street children.

It has also been extending scholarship to college students and implementing a nutrition program to minimize the number of malnourished children. Mayor Agustin said the city had "to invest for the children."*RA

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