The DSWD Field Office Eight is currently holding a series of activities to mark the National Children’s Month this October, which is anchored on this year’s theme, “Bata Kasali Ka, Ikaw ay Mahalaga.” To open the month-long observance was an awareness walk that was participated in by both public and private sectors, to include international non-government organizations operating within the region since the onslaught of Yolanda.
Among those which participated were the Panalaron Central School, National Nutrition Council, SOS Children’s Village, Pantawid Pamilya children beneficiaries of Tacloban, DepEd, NEDA, Commission on Human Rights, BJMP, PNP, UNICEF, UNFPA, Plan International, and the City Social Welfare and Development Office of Tacloban.
DSWD Field Office Eight Regional Director Nestor Ramos emphasized that the yearly observance is a call or appeal to everyone to support the cause of children. As chairperson of the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC), he expresses thanks for those who have joined the successful walk, and encourages local government units to organize meaningful activities for children in their own communities.
The early morning walk was held October 2 at the Balyuan Grounds in Tacloban City, and ended at the Rizal Park where a mass was held.
On October 13, the DSWD invited 40 Grades five and six pupils of Rizal Central School, RTR Elementary School, San Jose Central School, among others, to a symposium on Children’s Rights, at the Leyte Park Convention Cenrter. Gilacio Bigute of the Commission on Human Rights, a member – agency of the RSCWC, was resource speaker.
Together with the symposium was a Poster Making Contest, held at same venue, with cash prizes for the first, second and third winners. The winners were Orven Lester Navarro of Rizal Central School, third place, Alyssa Faith de Guzman of Rizal Central School, second place, and Jhudiel Marc Gade of RTR Elementary School, first place.
Yvonne Abonales, Policy and Plans Division Chief of DSWD Field Office Eight, said that the winners will be proclaimed after the Children’s Festival. Venue will be announced later.
Another incoming event will be a Regional Children’s Congress set on October 28 to 29 at Milka Hotel in Tacloban City. Abonales disclosed that there will be 35 children coming from the six provinces and representing different categories. These include out-of-school and in-school children, children with disabilities, streetchildren and child laborers.
The congress will be a venue for the children to articulate their problems and to promote the various advocacies of the government concerning the welfare of children.#
