Child Rights for Urban Poor Children in Child-Friendly Philippine Cities:
Views from the Community

Mary Racelis
Angela Desiree M. Aguirre
Institute of Philippine Culture
Ateneo de Manila University

Citation: Racelis, Mary and Angela Desiree M. Aguirre (2005). "Child Rights for Urban Poor Children in Child-Friendly Philippine Cities: Views from the Community ." Children, Youth and Environments 15 (2): 117-137. Retrieved [date] from http://www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/

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Abstract

This paper is an appraisal of the government and civil society actions that form child-friendly city programs in 27 neighborhoods of five cities in the Philippines (Manila City, Quezon City, Cebu, Davao and Pasay City), along with case studies of four informal settlements (two with child-friendly city programs, two without). These programs developed out of earlier urban basic services programs, but with the basic services focus greatly expanded to include child protection and participation within a child rights agenda. The paper describes the concepts underlying these programs and the sociopolitical context in which they emerged. Each city program is assessed, based on 24 child rights indicators. The paper also includes a summary of children’s views with regard to priorities for basic services, problems of crime and violence, and the possibilities for children’s participation. It ends with recommendations on how to make the child-friendly city programs more effective.

Keywords: Child-friendly programs