Children beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program from the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya ran the show for this year’s celebration of Children’s Month with the theme “Komunidad at Pamahalaan Magkaisa, Pang-aabuso sa Bata, Wakasan Na!” held in Tuguegarao City, November 4-5, 2015.

Different activities were prepared for the festivity namely the Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children 2015, Kaya Ko ang Pagbabago Dance Contest and Essay Writing Contest which aimed on recognizing the skills and knowledge of the children.

In the Search, four talented children showcased their singing and dancing prowess, acting skills and their intelligence during the Tagisan ng Talino at Talento wherein Jane Marie Ramos of Tuao, Cagayan was hailed as the region’s most exemplary Pantawid Pamilya child. Meanwhile Maria Angela Andres of Naguillian Isabela, Jochelle Daguro of Cabarroguis, Quirino and Rommel Pilde of Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya placed 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively.

For the Dance Contest, each province was represented by five children beneficiaries who grooved to the Kaya Ko ang Pagbabago official music. The Quirino group landed on the first place, followed by Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Cagayan.

Four children beneficiaries also battled it out with words in the Essay Writing Contest wherein Rannol Ross Cuyao (Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya) placed first. Playing bridesmaids to her are Jochelle Daguro (Cabarroguis, Quirino), Sherily Simangan (Reina Mercedes, Isabela) and Roben Baldesancho (Tuguegarao City, Cagayan).

In her message, DSWD OIC-Regional Director Ponciana P. Condoy emphasized on the important role that children play in poverty-alleviation and nation-building.

Meanwhile, in order to strengthen the children’s knowledge regarding their rights, there were discussions on laws and rights of children and AVP presentations on the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children and on the Kaya Ko ang Pagbabago! Campaign. The Kaya Ko ang Pagbabago is an empowerment and information campaign that aims to communicate the stories of change in the lives of the beneficiaries of DSWD’s programs and services, especially the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Pantawid Pamilya is a human development and rights-based program of the national government and is being implemented by DSWD. The program invests in the health and education of poor Filipino children aged 0-18 years old by providing cash grants in exchange of compliance to certain conditionalities. ### By MARICEL B. ASEJO, Information Officer II-Pantawid Pamilya