Around 36 children beneficiaries of the government’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program, commonly known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, from all over Eastern Visayas, recently gathered for the Children’s Congress 2015 at Milka Hotel, Tacloban City, Leyte.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VIII conducted the said activity to empower the children by providing them a venue for fun and learning, especially on topics concerning their rights and responsibilities as children. It also aims to encourage them to become active citizens supporting and working towards positive change and inclusive growth.

“Hindi kailanman hadlang ang kahirapan para matupad natin ang ating mga pangarap (Poverty is never a hindrance in realizing our dreams),” says DSWD FO VIII Assistant Regional Director for Operations Restituto Macuto, who also revealed he came from a poor family in Hilongos, Leyte, as a way of encouraging the children participants.

“Kayo ay mukha ng pagbabago, pagbabago tungo sa kaunlaran. Ang istorya ng inyong buhay ay magiging patunay na maski anong pagsubok, kahirapan man o kalamidad, kaya nating tuparin ang ating mga pangarap, basta may determinasyon, disiplina, at tiwala sa Panginoon (You are the face of positive change, change towards prosperity. The stories of your lives are proof that no matter what obstacle, poverty or disaster, you can fulfill your dreams, as long as you have determination, discipline, and faith in God),” Macuto added.

He also advised the youngsters to listen well and take notes during every session, to actively participate during workshops, and to share their learnings to their family and friends.

Meanwhile, DSWD Central Office Social Marketing Services Director Joel Espejo who also graced the said event emphasized that Pantawid Pamilya’s most important stakeholder with the biggest share are the children, thus the congress has been made for them to highlight their voices, stories, and their significant participation. He then reminded them, “This is a privilege, don’t take it for granted.”

To add learning with remarkable entertainment for the children, Eastern Visayas State University Director for Extension Services Faustito Aure and team performed a live puppet show for the children to be better aware of their importance in the family and in nation-building.

Best bit of the Children’s Congress was the 2015 Regional Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children which aims to recognize exemplary children beneficiaries who serve as excellent examples in their households, schools, and communities.

Currently, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is supporting 555,552 children beneficiaries in Region VIII- Eastern Visayas.

“Hinihiling po naming ang inyong patuloy na suporta. Pahalagahan ang karapatan ng mga kabataan dahil kami ang pag-asa ng bayan (We wish for your continued support. Recognize our rights as children, for we are the hope of our nation.),” says Diana Marie Vetoñio, 12, from Northern Samar Province.

On the other hand, Assistant Regional Director for Administration Marlene Kahano inspired them saying, “You are now our partners in advocating children’s rights and responsibilities. May you continue reaching for your dreams, because you are our hope.”

DSWD will continue to support the rights of children to education through our various poverty-alleviation and human development programs which empower children, and even families and entire communities. Through KALAHI CIDDS Program, we continue to help build school facilities. Through the Sustainable Livelihood Program, to continue providing livelihood opportunities to parents to help provide for their children’s needs.

The congress was carried out successfully in partnership with Save the Children staff and peer facilitators headed by Project Manager Nancy Obias who was represented by Emelita Canarias. Their sessions include topics on Children’s Rights and Protection, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Children Participation, and Children in Emergencies or Disasters.

A tree-planting activity was also part of the congress, with help from the Department of Environment and Natural Resouces FO VIII and the Leyte Normal University. The said movement helped the children understand the importance of active participation in saving mother earth, disaster mitigation, and creating positive changes, which eventually made the children’s congress more meaningful.

Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program of the Philippine government that invests in the health and education of children beneficiaries ages 0-18 years old belonging to poor households.###