Tuguegarao City – The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 (DSWD-FO2) celebrated Children’s Month with a 4-day Regional Children’s Congress 2018 (RCC2018) at Crown Pavillion, Tuguegarao City on November 6-9, 2018.

 

With the theme “Batang Pantawid Tungo sa Kaalaman at Kalinangan sa Kasarian at Pag-unlad” the RCC2018, which ws being conducted for the second time in the Region since its inception in 2017, aimed to foster the knowledge of the participants on adolescent development and gender sensitivity as well as basic children’s rights and other protective laws.

 

The activity also recognized the unique skills and talents of the 27 selected Pantawid children beneficiaries through the showcase of talents on Poster-making, Essay Writing and Quiz Bee.

 

“I do not have a disability, I have a gift.” Says Mark Sigua, an 18-year old Poster-Making contestant from Santiago, Isabela whose birth defect deprived him of his use of his arms to draw and uses his feet instead.

 

“Others may see this as a disability, but for me, it is a challenge to overcome and a testament of my strength.” He adds.

 

The highlight of the congress was the IP Cultural Presentation and the pageant night for the Regional Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children.

 

On the IP Cultural Presentation, representatives from each province showcased singing, dancing and playing of musical instruments while the provincial candidates for the Search for Exemplary Child demonstrated their talent as well as intelligence during the question and answer portion.

“I believe that what children need foremost, is the support and encouragement of their family in order for them to continue with their education,” says Jhade Aubrey Leprozo, Regional Winner, on the most important factor that fosters the desire of children to remain in school.

 

“We receive various support from other sources that provide the opportunity, however, without the continuous guidance from parents, children may be waylaid by negative influences.” She further added.

Leprozo, from Aritao Nueva Vizcaya will be representing Region 2 in the National Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children to be held at Manila from November 26 to December 2, 2018. Accompanying her for the National Children’s Congress are Emilio Sarmiento from Mallig, Isabela; Izhele Buyuccan of Maddela, Quirino and Rica Jane Soliven of Sto. Nino, Cagayan.