Angeles City – The Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (LCAT-VAWC) from the Municipality of Nagtipunan, led by Mayor Noel T. Lim, embarked on a benchmarking activity in Angeles City to learn from its innovative social welfare programs. The delegation was warmly received by Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II, Councilor Niknok Bañola, and City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Officer Francis de Guzman.
The visit aimed to promote inter-local government collaboration by sharing best practices in addressing the needs of women, children, and other vulnerable groups. Mayor Lim and his team were particularly interested in Angeles City’s holistic and institutionalized approaches to protection, rehabilitation, and reintegration efforts.
One of the key objectives of the activity was to gain insights into Angeles City’s effective programs and strategies, especially in handling cases involving violence against women and children. Both LGUs emphasized the value of local partnerships and strong community-based interventions in creating safer and more inclusive environments.
The delegation toured Bahay Pag-Asa, a city-run shelter for children in conflict with the law (CICL) and other at-risk youth. Here, they observed the facility’s structured rehabilitation programs, legal and psychological support services, and reintegration mechanisms designed to help children reintegrate into their communities with dignity and hope.
During the benchmarking visit, Angeles City officials shared detailed information on case management protocols, shelter operations, and how the city integrates government and non-governmental support systems. These insights were crucial for Nagtipunan’s LCAT-VAWC team, who plan to enhance their own community support structures based on the learnings.
Mayor Lazatin emphasized the city’s commitment to strengthening services that protect the rights and welfare of women and children. He also expressed appreciation for the benchmarking initiative, highlighting how LGUs can learn from one another in improving public service delivery.
The visit concluded with both parties expressing mutual gratitude and a desire to maintain continuous communication and collaboration. The benchmarking activity not only facilitated knowledge-sharing but also reinforced the importance of proactive governance in supporting vulnerable sectors of society.
