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To enhance child protection at the community level, barangay officials and community members from Barangays Inug-ug and Bagoenged in the Municipality of Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) participated in a training aimed at strengthening local child and women protection mechanisms in their communities.
The activity, conducted under the Individuals are Protected from Threats and Environmental Risks through Shelter and WASH (I-PROTECTS) Project and supported by Islamic Relief Canada, is part of an initiative to strengthen inclusive protection services at the community level.
The training brought together key community stakeholders, including barangay officials and staff, school principals, security staff, civil society organizations (CSOs), and parent representatives to equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively respond to child protection issues within their communities.
A key highlight of the program was the discussion on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) from an Islamic perspective, delivered by Ustad Anisa Taha-Arab of Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC). She emphasized that protecting women and children is not only a legal and social responsibility, but also a deeply spiritual one rooted in Islamic teachings.
“The role of parents in our children’s lives is a big part of keeping our children and women safe. If we look at the Islamic perspective, Islam teaches us how to protect, and what our rights are as children and women.” Ustad Anisa said.
To complement the faith-based perspective, the training also explored the legal frameworks and government policies related to child protection in the Philippines.
Lailanie B. Ayunan, RSW, provided an orientation on Strengthening Child Protection in the Barangay through the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC), emphasizing its mandated roles, membership, and operational functions. She reminded the participants of the importance of a fully functional BCPC.
“[The BCPC] is our first line of defense for children who may be at risk. A functional BCPC is not just a requirement—it is a lifeline for our children,” Ayunan said.
Adding to the discussion, Anwar Abidin walked participants through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) guidelines for Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPC).
He outlined key functionality indicators such as regular meetings, responsive referral systems, and active monitoring.
The training continued with a planning workshop, where participants mapped out and reviewed existing BCPC plans, and strategized the roll-out of new protection initiatives to the needs of their respective communities.
With Islamic Relief Canada's support, the I-PROTECTS Project continues to empower local leaders to build safer, more inclusive communities—especially for women and children.
This training marked a crucial step in ensuring that grassroots governance structures are equipped to deliver timely and effective protection services in even the most remote areas.