By Marie Joy S. Carbungco | February 10, 2026

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — At least 117 local government units (LGUs) in Central Luzon passed the 2025 Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) and Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance (SCFLG) conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The LGUs cited included Olongapo City, and the towns of Subic, Cabangan, San Antonio, Santa Cruz, Castillejos, Iba, Botolan, Masinloc, San Marcelino, and San Felipe in Zambales. 

DSWD Regional Director Venus Rebuldela said this accomplishment underscores the collective efforts of LGUs in fostering a safe, nurturing, and rights-based environment for children across the region. 

“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all passers and conferees for their exemplary commitment to child-friendly governance. Let us continue to strengthen our partnerships and initiatives in ensuring the welfare and development of children in Central Luzon,” she added. 

Meanwhile, she also cited other partner agencies for their continued support and commitment to furthering these initiatives, which are vital in sustaining this momentum and driving meaningful change.

The province of Nueva Ecija has the largest number of passers and conferees with 27 LGUs, including the municipalities of San Leonardo, Santo Domingo, Zaragosa, Cuyapo, Talugtug, Bongabon, Jaen, Llanera, Peñaranda, Rizal, General Tinio, San Isidro, Nampicuan, San Antonio, Guimba, Licab, Pantabangan, Talavera, Gabaldon, General Mamerto Natividad, Quezon, Cabiao, and Carranglan; as well as cities of Palayan, San Jose, Muñoz, and Cabanatuan. 

It was followed by Pampanga with 20 LGU-passers, including Angeles City, Mabalacat City, City of San Fernando, and the municipalities of Sasmuan, Guagua, Floridablanca, Candaba, Magalang, San Luis, Porac, Sto. Tomas, Bacolor, Lubao, Apalit, San Simon, Arayat, Santa Rita, Minalin, Mexico, and Masantol. 

Also, 20 LGUs in Bulacan have passed, including the cities of San Jose del Monte, Baliwag, Meycauayan, and Malolos; and the municipalities of Plaridel, Pandi, Guiguinto, Pulilan, Bulakan, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Obando, Angat, Balagtas, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, Santa Maria, Bocaue, Paombong, Bustos, and Norzagaray. 

Meanwhile, the province of Tarlac has 18 passers, including La Paz, San Jose, Bamban, Tarlac City, Moncada, San Clemente, Pura, San Manuel, Anao, Capas, Gerona, Mayantoc, Paniqui, Camiling, Victoria, Ramos, Santa Ignacia, and Concepcion. 

In addition, 12 LGUs from the provinces of Bataan also passed the CFLGA:  Dinalupihan, Samal, Pilar, Hermosa, Mariveles, Abucay, City of Balanga, Orion, Bagac, Morong, Orani, and Limay.

Eight LGUs from the province of Aurora were also adjudged child-friendly. They are Casiguran, Dingalan, Dilasag, Dinalungan, Baler, San Luis, Dipaculao, and Maria Aurora.

The CFLGA is a results-based assessment tool and an annual mandatory audit designed to gauge the performance of LGUs in implementing programs and instituting measures to advance the welfare of the children.

The Council for the Welfare of Children adopted the tool in the conferment of the Child-Friendly Local Governance and by the Office of the President for the Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Cities and Municipalities. (CLJD/MJSC, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)