“This time we in the government will bring the services closer to the children for them not to feel left-out in the society,” said Ivan Eric Salvador, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD 9) Regional Information Officer.

This year’s Children’s Month celebration is centered on the Kalusugan, Kaisipan at Kapakanan or Health, Mental and Welfare of the children specially in the time of pandemic.

Services provided are medical and dental check-up with medicines and vitamins, livelihood kits, and National ID registration during the caravan in the different local government units in Zamboanga Peninsula including Zamboanga City where they visit Barangay Vitali and Talisayan Elementary School.

According to DSWD 9, some of the challenges faced by the children sector during the pandemic are food security, education and access to health care. These are the challenges that the government is also focusing to address.

“Investing in the welfare of our children is the key for the betterment of the future generations,” Salvador added.

The committee for the welfare of children continues to share the rights of the children and also encourage the community to protect these rights.

National Children’s Month is observed every month of November based from the National Children’s Act  of 2015 to highlight children’s rights, access to health, environment, good education and health services.

“To the parents, let us restore the values to our children, and support their wants and needs to give them chance to express themselves again,” Salvador said. (NBE/EDT/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)