Northern Mindanao -The Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development spearheaded the National Children’s Month celebration for this year.
With the theme, “ Isulong: Kalidad na Edukasyon para sa Lahat ng Bata”, the kick off activity was conducted in coordination with the active and supportive Partner members of the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) which included the City Social Welfare and Development Office of Cagayan de Oro, 4th Infantry Division (Phil. Army), Philippine National Police, National Youth Commission, Department of Education, Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental, Population Commission, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, and World Vision.
Republic Act No. 10661 or the National Children’s Month Act declares November of every year as the National Children’s Month to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989.
Pursuant to the observance of the National Children’s Month, an annual program of activities shall be prepared and implemented with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the National Youth Commission, and the Council for the Welfare of children, in partnership and in coordination with other Partner Agencies as well.
All local government units and private organizations including Civil Society organizations, private enterprises and people’s organizations are also encouraged to observe and participate in the activities for the month long celebration.
Highlights of the Kick Off activity included a motorcade, feeding program, medical mission spearheaded by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the symbolic turn-over of the 1 Million Lapis Project.
As of the last counting, more than a hundred thousand pencils have already been turned over from Partner Agencies, and some Local Government Units. Through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the collected pencils will be turned over to the Department of Education who will be tasked to identify the school beneficiaries of the pencils.
Assistant Regional Director for Operations Aldersey dela Cruz, in her welcome message, reminded the partiicpants and parents of the crucial role of parents, being the first teachers of their children.
Other advocacy activities to be conducted relative to the celebration also includes a series of radio and TV guestings.
A Leadership Training for children representatives is also set to be conducted within the month.
Written by, Mitzie Sarballon Santiago, DSWD