WEST New Britain has become the fourth province in the country to establish a Provincial Child and Family Service Council (PCFSC) with the objective of better addressing children and family issues in the province.
The West New Britain (WNB) PCFSC was launched last Thursday (20/08/26) jointly by Governor Sasindran Muthuvel and Minister for Community Development Jason Peter, signified through a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The launching followed the official swearing-in ceremony of 11 council members.
The council members were sworn into office by senior resident magistrate Wendy Dogura.
The council members that were sworn-in are: John Sitapai (alternate chair), Emma Midan (deputy chair), Vincent Kalatia (education advisor), Maria Misang (alternate educator), Steven Waro (Provincial Health Authority alternate), Jacqueline Lee (president, Provincial Council of Women), Esther Pali (Early Child Education representative), Florence Kunia (Out-of-Home Care representative), Annette Kavulio (Provincial Police Commander alternate), Moses Sengo (church representative alternate) and Bishop John Avram (church representative).
The event took place at the Caritas Technical Secondary School in Kimbe Town and was witnessed by Talasea MP Freddie Kumai, Department of Community Development, Youth and Religion secretary Jerry Ubase, National Youth Development Authority director-general Joe Itaki, National Office for Child, Family Services (NOCFS) chief executive officer Jerry Wap and other dignitaries.
Sections 24-26 of the Lukautim Pikinini Act (LPA) makes it mandatory for all provinces in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to have a PCFSC in place to address issues affecting children in their localities.
Minister Peter, who was the keynote speaker at the event, thanked the WNB government and administration for taking the initiative and prioritising the establishment of the council ahead of other provinces in the region.
“Today, we mark an important milestone in our collective efforts in strengthening the welfare and wellbeing of our children and families in West New Britain,” Minister Peter said.
“I highly commend the leadership provided by the West New Britain government and administration,” he said.
“This is not simply the launching of another committee in the government structure; it is the beginning of a stronger commitment in protecting children and supporting families in the province, thus, building safer communities,” Mr Peter said.
“By establishing the council, we are making a declaration that every child matters. We are making a declaration that every family deserves support, dignity and hope,” he said.
Governor Muthuvel, who also spoke at the occasion, said the province is grateful to have the council established so that children and family concerns are appropriately addressed.
“The establishment of the council is very important because protecting children is a responsibility that belongs to all of us,” Muthuvel said.
“Our children need to grow up in an environment where they are safe, protected, educated and given the opportunity to reach their full potential,” he added.
Meanwhile, NOCFS chief executive officer Mr Wap, said the occasion marks an important milestone in the nation’s shared commitment towards protecting children, strengthening families and building safer communities.
“The establishment of this council demonstrates the unwavering commitment of West New Britain Province in implementing the Lukautim Pikinini Act (2015), which provides the legal framework in protecting the rights and wellbeing of every child,” Mr Wap said.
“Children are our nation’s greatest asset; investing in their safety, development and wellbeing is an investment in the future of PNG,” he said.
The council will coordinate the implementation of key child development programs in the province and work with various partners to ensure that challenges affecting children and families are given prominence.
WNB followed on from Western Highlands which had established its PCFSC last month and Enga and Morobe who had established theirs in 2022 and 2023 respectively.