Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured on Thursday (November 28) that the agency will continue campaigning against all forms of violence toward children.
The DSWD chief stressed the need for collaboration among partners and stakeholders to advocate for more robust measures to protect all children from various forms of abuse.
“Even as we conclude this month-long celebration, our fight to end violence against children will continue,” Secretary Gatchalian said in his message, delivered by Director Grace Arboladura of the Office of the Undersecretary for International Affairs and Attached and Supervised Agencies at the end of the 13th National Children’s Month (NCM) celebration held at the SM City in Quezon City.
“This year’s National Children’s Month marked a significant milestone in promoting the rights and welfare of Filipino children,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), an attached agency of the DSWD, led the NCM celebration and conducted various activities across four thematic areas: survival rights, development rights, participation rights, and protection rights. These were designed to advocate for and strengthen preventive measures and programs to end all forms of violence against children.
Republic Act No. 10661 designates November as National Children’s Month to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on November 20, 1989.
The Philippines is a signatory to the CRC, the first binding universal treaty dedicated solely for the protection and promotion of children’s rights. This year’s NCM celebration featured the theme “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines.”
In his message, Secretary Gatchalian bared some critical child protection initiatives launched in Valenzuela City on November 14.
One of these initiatives is the 4th National Plan for Children (NPAC), a six-year strategic framework developed in consultation with various sectors and stakeholders to enhance the well-being of all Filipino children.
Another initiative is the Local Council for the Protection of Children Toolkit. This comprehensive guide helps local government units (LGUs) create their Local Development and Investment Plans, local codes, and State of Children Reports, all of which aim to promote child-friendly governance.
The DSWD Secretary praised the DSWD’s various partners for making the month-long celebration successful. These partners included local government units (LGUs), civil society organizations, academia, private stakeholders, parents, and children.
The other officials present at the culminating event of the NCM celebration were CWC Executive Director Undersecretary Angelo Tapales, National Youth Commission (NYC) Commissioner for Luzon Reena Vivienne Pineda, Quezon City Social Services Development Department OIC Carolina Patalinhog, and Royston Cabunag, Senior Vice President of SM Supermalls and Program Director of SM Cares for Children and Youth. # (AKDL)
Tagalog Version
DSWD tiniyak ang pagbibigay ng proteksyon sa mga bata laban sa lahat ng anyo ng karahasan
Tiniyak ni Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian ang patuloy na pangangalagaan ang karapatan ng mga kabataan gayundin ang pagprotekta sa kanila laban sa ano mang ng uri ng karahasan.
Binigyang diin ng Kalihim, ang importansya at pangangailangan ng pakikipagtulungan ng mga partners at stakeholders na nagtatanggol sa mga kabataan na nakakaranas ng panga-abuso.
“Even as we conclude this month-long celebration, our fight to end violence against children will continue,” sabi ni Secretary Gatchalian sa kanyang mensahe na binasa ni Office of the Undersecretary for International Affairs and Attached and Supervised Agencies Director Mary Grace Arboladura, bilang pagtatapos ng ika-13th National Children’s Month (NCM) celebration na ginanap sa SM City sa Quezon City.
“This year’s National Children’s Month marked a significant milestone in promoting the rights and welfare of Filipino children,” sabi pa ni Secretary Gatchalian.
Ang DSWD ay nagsagawa ng iba’t-ibang activities tulad ng survival rights, development rights, participation rights, at protection rights. Ang mga nasabing aktibidad ay isinagawa upang pagtibayin at palakasin ang mga preventive measures upang wakasan ang pangaabuso sa mga kabataan.
Batay sa Republic Act No. 10661, ang buwan ng Nobyembre ay itinalaga para sa pagdiriwang ng National Children’s Month bilang paggunita sa adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Cng proRC) ng United Nations (UN) General Assembly noong November 20, 1989.
Ang Pilipinas ay signatory sa CRC, na first binding universal treaty na nakatalaga para sa pagbibigay ng proteksyon sa karapatan ng mga bata. Para naman sa selebrasyon ngayong taon, ang theme ay “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines.”
Sa kanyang mensahe, binanggit ni Secretary Gatchalian ang ilan sa mga critical child protection initiatives na sinimulan sa Valenzuela City nitong November 14.
Kabilang sa mga inisyatibo ang 4th National Plan for Children (NPAC), isang six-year strategic framework na binuo sa pakikipagkonsultasyon sa iba’t ibang sektor at stakeholders upang maiayos ang kapakanan ng mga Kabataang Pilipino.
Isa pa sa mga inisyatibo ang Local Council for the Protection of Children Toolkit. Ito naman ay isang komprehensibong gabay upang tulungan ang local government units (LGUs) sa pagbuo ng kanilang Local Development and Investment Plans, local codes, at State of Children Reports na lahat ay nakatuon sa pagbibigay ng proteksyon sa mga bata.
Kasama sa mga opisyal na dumalo sa pagtatapos ng selebrasyon ay sina CWC Executive Director Undersecretary Angelo Tapales, National Youth Commission (NYC) Commissioner for Luzon Reena Vivienne Pineda, Quezon City Social Services Development Department OIC Carolina Patalinhog, at Royston Cabunag, Senior Vice President ng SM Supermalls at Program Director ng SM Cares for Children and Youth. # (MVC)
