The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office II in partnership with the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) capped the celebration of Children’s Month through a Regional Children’s Forum at Holiday Plaza Hotel, Tuguegarao City on October 29-30, 2013.
Around 60 children beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in the region joined in the 2-day activity which highlighted on the importance of compliance in the program’s health and education conditionalities and to make the children as young advocates of the program.
Aside from the discussion about the Pantawid Pamilya, there were also re-orientation about the Children’s Rights and on the functions of the Local Council for the Protection of Chidren (LCPC) and Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC). These discussions heightened the awareness of the participants about their rights and the government’s effort to promote and protect their welfare.
The highlight of the activity was the Poster Making, Essay Writing and the Jingle Making Contests on the theme “Kahirapan wakasan, karapatan ng bata ipaglaban” wherein the children beneficiaries competed and represented their respective provinces. Winners received cash prizes and certificate of recognition.
In her speech, DSWD Regional Director Violeta A. Cruz emphasized about the important role of children in nation-building so the government and the community must join effort in ensuring that their rights are being protected.
Director Cruz also reminded that as children, they also have responsibilities and obligations to fulfill in their society, especially, in their respective families. “Kayong mga bata ay may karapatang makapag-aral, kaya naman nakikita niyo ang paghihirap ng inyong mga magulang upang matugunan ang inyong mga pangangailangan. Nandiyan din ang Pantawid para makatulong sa mga gastusin niyo sa paaralan, ngunit dapat niyo ring suklian ito lalo na ang paghihrap ng inyong nanay at tatay,” Director Cruz said.
“Bawat karapatan na naibigay sa inyo ay may kaakibat na responsibilidad. Karapatan niyong mag-aral, ngunit obligasyon niyo rin na mag-aral ng mabuti,” emphasized Director Cruz to the children.
Elojah John Pagadut, a Pantawid child beneficiary of Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, and the champion in Essay Writing Contest, wrote “Sana patuloy pang mapangalagaan ang aming mga karapatan dahil bata man kaming maituring, malaki namn ang aming maiaambag upang makamit ng lipunan na ito ang inaasam-asam na kaunlaran.”
The celebration of Children’s Month is done every October, annually pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 267 issued on September 30, 1993, to recognize and emphasize the important role of children within the Filipino family and in nation building.###By MARICEL B. ASEJO, Pantawid Information Officer II