In a concerted effort to strengthen the protection of women and children’s rights, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga has conducted functionality assessments of Local Committees on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (LCAT-VAWC) and Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPC) throughout the region in 2024.

This initiative conducted from May 5-9, 2025 aligns with Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2020-006 and DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2021-039, underscoring the national government’s commitment to strengthening local mechanisms that safeguard vulnerable populations.

The assessments, carried out through face-to-face validations across all five provinces in Caraga, including Butuan City, involve a comprehensive review of essential documents and means of verification (MOVs). This meticulous process aims to ensure the effective implementation of programs and initiatives designed to prevent trafficking and violence against women and children, as well as promote child welfare and development.

Beyond the evaluation, the DSWD teams also provided crucial technical assistance to the Local Government Units (LGUs). This support is intended to enhance the capacity of local councils to effectively carry out their mandates and address the specific needs of their communities.

As the Chair of the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT-VAWC) and Co-Chair of the Regional Inter-Agency Monitoring Task Force (RIMTF) for LCPC functionality assessments, the DSWD plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of these region-wide evaluations.

This proactive approach by DSWD Caraga demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering a safe and nurturing environment for women and children in the region. The results of these assessments are expected to provide valuable insights into the strengths and areas for improvement within the local protection mechanisms, paving the way for more targeted and effective interventions in the future.