by Myra Mangampo, Project Coordinator

Project RESPOND officially commenced with a strong sense of purpose, collaboration, and commitment as the project team successfully conducted its Project Inception and Planning Meeting together with the local partner, Bicol Center for Community Development Inc. The activity marked the beginning of a meaningful journey toward strengthening child protection systems and creating safer communities for children in the project’s intervention areas. 

Project RESPOND aims to strengthen the existing Child Protection System and increase public awareness on the identification, prevention, reporting, and response to all forms of child abuse and threats against children. Through collaborative efforts with stakeholders, the project seeks to empower communities, institutions, and families to become active protectors and advocates of children’s rights and welfare. 

The inception meeting served as a platform for aligning the team’s vision, strategies, and responsibilities in preparation for the implementation of the project. Key discussions during the activity included the presentation of the project overview, establishment of project-related tools and systems, risk assessment and mitigation planning, and the initial implementation framework to ensure smooth and effective project execution. 

More than a planning activity, the meeting became an avenue for collaboration and shared aspirations among the BCCD project team and the Educo team. Through interactive workshops and group discussions, participants reflected on the long-term impact they envision for Project RESPOND. The team collectively expressed optimism and confidence that the project will achieve significant milestones through unity, strong partnership, and the shared commitment of all stakeholders involved. 

One of the highlights of the activity was the creative workshop where participants imagined the project’s success three years from now through headline news presentations. The envisioned future featured remarkable achievements, including the establishment of a Child Protection Unit in Caramoran, Catanduanes, and the strengthening of Child Protection mechanisms across all intervention areas. These envisioned outcomes reflect the project’s goal of building responsive, accessible, and sustainable child protection systems within communities. 

The activity also highlighted the dedication and commitment of every team member toward ensuring the success of the project. Participants expressed their willingness to actively support project implementation, provide technical assistance, maintain strong partnerships with stakeholders, and contribute their expertise and resources throughout the duration of the project. These collective commitments demonstrate the team’s shared responsibility and determination to create lasting and meaningful change for children and communities. 

At the center of Project RESPOND is a collective vision of communities where children are protected from abuse, violence, exploitation, and neglect.  Through the partnership between Educo Philippines and BCCD Inc., the project hopes to contribute to systems and community practices that make children safer not only today but in the years to come.