The Future is Vocal – Empowering Children Through Project CLAP

by Zcyrel Barola

Throughout the months of March, April, and May 2026, a total of 406 child participants under the Child-led Advocacy Program (CLAP) successfully conducted a series of Municipal Advocacy Forums (MAF) across the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes. 

Project CLAP aims to empower children to better understand policies, build networks, and mobilize their communities through effective communication and advocacy strategies that promote children’s rights, welfare, protection, and meaningful participation. 

During the forums, children took the lead in addressing some of the most pressing challenges affecting their communities. Each advocacy forum was designed based on the issues identified through prior community mapping activities, conducted by the CLAP participants themselves. 

The Municipal Advocacy Forums were conducted across different municipalities and clusters, each carrying its own advocacy theme and campaign focus: 

  • Castilla Cluster (La Union, Milagrosa, San Rafael, Maracabac, and Sogoy)  
    • Topic: Teenage Pregnancy 
    • Event Title: Parent-Teen Health Talk and Awareness Campaign on Teenage Pregnancy 
  • Caramoran Cluster (Bulalacao, Milaviga, Supang, Datag East, Maui, Icanbato, Baybay, Camburo, and Dariao)  
    • Topic: Intergenerational Cycles: Child Labor and Teenage Pregnancy 
    • Event Title: Safeguarding Futures: Breaking Intergenerational Cycles 
  • Donsol Cluster (Santa Cruz, Sibago, Dancalan, Gogon, and Sevilla)  
    • Topic: Teenage Vices (Smoking, Alcohol, and Drugs) 
    • Event Title: Project A.V.A.I.L. (Adolescent Vices Awareness: Information and Learning) 
  • Manito Cluster 3 (Nagotgot, Balabagon, Holugan, Pawa, and Cabit)  
    • Topic: Bullying 
    • Event Title: Bullying Ends with You 
  • Manito Cluster 1 (Cabacongan, Cawayan, Tinapian, Manumbalay, and Malobago)  
    • Topic: Digital Literacy 
    • Event Title: Unplug to Reconnect: Screens Down, Fun Up! 
  • Manito Cluster 2 (Buyo, Bamban, Balasbas, It-ba, and Kawit)  
    • Topic: Non/Slow Readers 
    • Event Title: S.U.R.E. (Strengthening Understanding and Reading Engagement) 
  • Pilar Cluster (Lungib, Esperanza, Abucay, Lipason, and San Antonio Sapa)  
    • Topic: Teenage Pregnancy 
    • Event Title: Sex Education is the Key to Prevent Teenage Pregnancy 

To strengthen the discussions and learning sessions, resource speakers from the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), and local Rural Health Units (RHU) were also invited to share their technical expertise and professional guidance relevant to each advocacy topic. 

Beyond awareness-raising, these forums serve a broader strategic purpose within the CLAP framework. The activities contribute to the project’s objective of developing child-led policy advocacy initiatives by working closely with children and local government units (LGUs) to identify policy gaps and issues affecting children’s well-being and development. At the same time, the forums reinforce the idea that children are not merely passive beneficiaries of programs, but active stakeholders capable of expressing their concerns, sharing insights, and proposing solutions that directly impact their lives and communities. 

The Municipal Advocacy Forums are essential in empowering children and adolescents to become advocates for their own rights and welfare. Programs like this help ensure that community development efforts are inclusive, participatory, and responsive to the realities faced by children.

Ultimately, when children are given the opportunity and support to lead, communities do more than address the issues of today, they help nurture informed, empowered, and compassionate leaders for the future.