Duty-bearers, Butuan stakeholders join Children’s Month kick-off celebration

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

Heads and representatives from various government agencies, nongovernment organizations, civil society organizations, youth sector, and residents from this city, actively took part during the National Children’s Month (NCM) celebration through a kick-off program on November 4 at Robinsons Place.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga being the chair of the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) spearheaded the activity.

DSWD Field Office Caraga Assistant Regional Director for Administration (ARDA) Atty. Faizal Padate delivered the opening message on behalf of Regional Director MariFlor A. Dollaga. He reiterated that the NCM celebration is anchored on the 3rd National Plan of Action for Children (NPAC) Goals to progressively realize the rights of children across the world.

“For this year, the theme of the celebration is “Kalusugan, Kaisipan at Kapakanan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan!” which calls for public support to prioritize the availability of necessary interventions to support the mental health and overall well-being of children amid the pandemic and postpandemic effects,”

Regional Director Venus Garcia of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga, stressed the need to amplify the advocacy on instilling in the national consciousness the importance of promoting the welfare of children, by protecting them and ensuring that their rights are respected.

“This year’s National Children’s Month celebration puts emphasis on all sectors working together to promote the overall health of our children. We, in the Philippine Information Agency Caraga strongly support this advocacy, not because we are obligated to, but because we truly believe in the importance of putting our children’s mental health first. We can do so by implementing policies and programs that focus on promoting their wellbeing complemented by a strong information drive to create greater awareness of its importance,” said Garcia.

Also, Regional Director Lilibeth Famacion of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga, highlighted the efforts of the local government units in implementing programs, plans, and activities for the children sector, hence, conforming to the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (SCFLGA) in the region.

She also urged all sectors to continue to work hand in hand towards the promotion of children’s rights and their protection against all forms of violence.

Meanwhile, Regional Director Pablo Gacayan Labra II of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga, emphasized the value of children in the society and vowed for their protection from all kinds of violence and abuse, as well as to support the nation’s programs that ensure their safety and protection of their rights.

“We at PNP Caraga will work hard to guarantee the safety of all youths. Our continuous collaboration with parents, teachers, churches, private and government agencies and all people will help us achieve this. I also urge anyone to unite and work together so that we can ensure a peaceful, safe, and orderly community for the development of our youths,” he said.

All the participating sectors also affixed their signatures at the “Panatang Makabata” tarpaulin, as their way of support to the programs and services intended for the children; and to promote their rights and overall well-being.

The annual month-long celebration is one of the major avenues of the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) to promote the rights of the child and call the attention of various stakeholders on issues and concerns affecting children. It engages dutybearers and right-holders to further their level of awareness on child rights issues and empower them to take actions to improve their lives and develop the culture of care and protection for, by, and with children. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)