Baseline Report: Rubrics Methodology for Power-Up Girls Program in South Cotabato (Philippines, 2025)

This baseline addendum report documents the inclusion of six new barangays (Kablon, Acmonan, and Miasong in Tupi, and Landan, Rubber, and Maligo in Polomolok) into Save the Children Philippines’ Power-Up Girls Program, following a phase-out from North Cotabato in line with Indigenous communities’ decision not to provide consent under Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) protocols. Using the same rubric-based methodology as the 2023 baseline, the study evaluates five domains of social transformation: community empowerment, family protection, gender equity, inclusion, and equitable access to services.

Findings reveal that while intent and early efforts toward inclusive and child-centered development are evident, systemic gaps persist. Community participation remains largely adult-driven and tokenistic for children, and marginalized groups are engaged inconsistently. Families provide basic protection but rely on traditional discipline and do not offer structured support for adolescent mothers. Services such as education and health are present but fragmented, reactive, and unevenly distributed, with the biggest gaps in remote sitios. Equity challenges are most pronounced among Indigenous children, adolescent mothers, and children with disabilities, who face compounded barriers arising from stigma, poverty, and logistical constraints.

The report highlights the need for institutionalized mechanisms that promote genuine child and youth participation, gender-transformative family environments, and sustainable and equity-focused service delivery. It provides a critical foundation for monitoring progress, refining strategies, and ensuring that the Power-Up Girls Program reaches the most marginalized girls in South Cotabato.