The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is calling on local government units (LGUs) nationwide to further strengthen programs and strategies that promote and protect children’s welfare, as the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) 2026 officially rolls out.

The initiative reinforces the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for LGUs to prioritize children in governance by integrating child-focused interventions into local development plans and service delivery.

The DILG emphasized that the CFLGA serves as a key performance mechanism that measures how effectively LGUs translate policies into outcomes that directly benefit children. The audit covers five core areas: survival, development, protection, participation, and governance.

“This is about making sure that our policies reach the ground and improve the everyday lives of our children,” the Department underscored.

Recent data reflect steady gains. In 2025, there was a 21.9 percent increase in LGUs that passed the CFLGA, indicating broader alignment with child-friendly governance standards.

For 2026, LGUs are required to achieve at least an 81 percent overall rating and meet the same benchmark across all five areas to pass the audit, raising expectations for consistent and balanced performance.

At the barangay level, the CFLGA will now be implemented under the Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangays, ensuring that child-centered governance is strengthened at the community level.

With the audit already underway, the DILG is encouraging LGUs to actively participate and sustain efforts, particularly in improving nutrition, access to basic services, and protective systems for children.

The Department stressed that investing in children is a direct investment in the country’s future, and that effective local governance plays a central role in ensuring that no child is left behind.