In celebration of the 32nd National Children’s Month (NCM) this November, the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), announced that this year’s event is focused on advocating to end all forms of violence against children.
In the DSWD Thursday Media Forum on October 31, CWC executive director Undersecretary Angelo Tapales told reporters that in 2023, the Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) received 18,756 reports of child rights violation.
“Dyan sa number na yan, 17,304 reports ay violence against children or yung child abuse na tinatawag natin, rape at acts of lasciviousness. Since 2016 ay ito na ang top three na violation sa mga bata,” Undersecretary Tapales told reporters at the weekly forum.
To report child abuse cases and other violations against children, Undersecretary Tapales said the public may call the Makabata Helpline 1383.
“Pag tumawag dyan sa numero na yan, sigurado na may tulong na matatangap,” the CWC executive director said.
As an attached agency of the DSWD, the CWC performs the function of formulating policies and monitoring and evaluating the implementation of laws, programs or projects for children and youth below 18 years old.
NCM activities
Undersecretary Tapales said the activities for the NCM are in sync with this year’s theme of “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines!”
“Para sa NCM activity ng CWC, tapos na yung Talakayang Makabata press conference natin noong October 18,” Undersecretary Tapales said.
This press con, according to the CWC executive director, is a regular activity that leads to the celebration of the NCM which is consistently conducted every year by the CWC and DSWD, along with concerned national government agencies.
To start the month-long celebration, a kick-off ceremony will be held in Cebu City from November 5-7, according to Undersecretary Tapales.
“Ngayon naman papasok na ang November 5-7, kami ay lilipad sa Cebu kasama ang Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines para sa National Children’s Month Kick-off ceremony,” Undersecretary Tapales said.
Just like the previous celebrations, the kick off activity will feature a parade of children participants and messages of support from children, youth leaders, national agency partners, and child rights supporters and advocates.
The CWC will also join the House of Representatives’ NCM celebration on November 18-21 and will set up booths featuring the council’s mandate, and informative materials relevant to advocating for safe spaces for children and youth sectors.
“Magkakaroon ang House of Representatives ng NCM celebration sa November 18 at nandiyan ako. May mga booths diyan at ang Makabata Helpline, kasama ang ating mga kakampi na lawmakers sa House of Representatives,” Undersecretary Tapales said.
The CWC will also launch the 4th National Plan of Action for Children (NPAC), which will contain the comprehensive government policy document for year 2023-2028. The NPAC will feature a multi-sectoral, rights-based approach aimed at progressively advancing children’s rights to survival, development, protection, and participation across the Philippines.
According to the CWC executive director, before rolling out the culminating activity of NCM on November 28 at the SM North EDSA, the CWC is scheduled to conduct a conference on responsible parenting in the context of the digital age.
“Meron din tayo sa November 25, 7th Conference on Parenting in the Digital Age, tuturuan kasi talaga natin ang mga magulang kung paano bantayan ang mga bata kaya kailangan din nilang matuto sa internet at sa mga gadgets,” Undersecretary Tapales pointed out.
Undersecretary Tapales said that the conference will focus on the importance of equipping parents with knowledge to protect their children from harm, particularly from abuses and violence against children that leverage on online and digital platforms.
The CWC executive director also called for a unified approach to Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), pointing out that the government, parents, families, communities, and power holders must work together to ensure that children’s rights are respected and upheld at all times.# (LSJ)
