CATARMAN, Northern Samar (PIA) -- The Province of Northern Samar celebrated the 29th National Children’s Month with various online activities championing children’s rights and welfare at Ibabao Hall, Capitol, Catarman on November 25.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Jenny O. Darish in her opening remarks said, "Today we renew our collective commitment of ensuring our children a better life, a safe and caring environment, and a brighter future."
According to Darish, neither the COVID-19 pandemic nor the continuous community lockdowns will stop the province from celebrating the 29th National Children’s Month (NCM) with the theme: “New Normal na Walang Iwanan: Karapatan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan!”
This year’s theme covers the myriad of issues on children’s right to survival, development, protection, and participation in the new normal setting.
“As member of the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC), we have an important role to play in the promotion of child’s rights and protection. Let us continuously recognize the fundamental human dignity of all children and the urgency of ensuring their well-being and development,” she said.
Darish emphasized that the idea of a basic quality of life should be the right of all children, rather than a privilege enjoyed by a few, and the faces of our children today mirrors the kind of society that we have, and the kind of society that we, duty bearers, are building for them.
On the other hand, Governor Edwin Marino Ongchuan in his message read by SP Member Gina Silvano shared some of the province accomplishments in the areas of health and nutrition, education, protection and participation.
The province increased its investment for children’s health and nutrition from P2-M in 2019 to P13-M in 2021. These includes infant and young child feeding activities, nutrition promotion for behavioral change, Barangay Nutrition Scholars' incentives, and the enhancement of food and nutrition processing center.
Likewise, 5 out of 8 priority KOIKA F1KD municipalities have already developed policies for health and nutrition in the first 1000 days. The numbers of mothers practicing exclusive breastfeeding of children ages 6-23 months old continue to increase, now at 63%, the governor said.
Activities conducted through online contests were the following: draw and tell, poster making, spoken poetry, tula, quiz bee, and Provincial Council for Children (PCC) logo contest. (NBQ/TBC/PIA Northern Samar)
