CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through its attached agency, the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), conducted a "Gumagalaw Caravan" with members of the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC)-10 to rally children's protection and participation.

A structure from provincial down to barangay levels that focuses on planning, implementing laws, policies, and programs for children, LCPC is the partner of the national government to push for children’s rights and protection against violence, online and offline sexual abuse, and bullying, among others.

Usec Angelo M. Tapales, executive director of CWC, said the national government needs the cooperation of local government units and the council to implement its programs and activities.

"Isa sa mga sinusulong ng Council for the Welfare of Children, is 'yung child protection at participation, tapos na po ang panahon na ang mga kabataan ay saling pusa lamang, hindi po natin pinupush yung participation for the sake na masabi po na kasali ang bata. Gusto po namin sa council for the welfare of children, na 'yung meaningful participation ng mga kabataan nothing for them without them," he said.

Jarrie Fionna G. Jacutin, 17, RCWC-10 child representative from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, representing the Indigenous People sector, urged children and adolescents to hone their leadership skills. She also urged the government to come up with activities that would redirect the minds of the youth to be more productive.

"It is essential to make programs that will make teenagers divert their attention like social media as a platform to give awareness to teenagers and children focus on themselves. Give programs that will enhance their skills and creativity, especially leadership. Because when you teach them leadership, it’s where everything starts," she said.

Meanwhile, Danniell Jan C. Maagad, 14, from Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, representing the academe, shared the importance of promoting mental health among children and adolescents.

"If naa gani kay problema, ayaw mo diretso hunahuna og about killing yourself. You should reach out to your friends, family, or anyone na comfortable ka muistorya or okay ka sa ila. It is important nga imong ipagawas imong mga thoughts, imong problems, para dili siya mag-build up and mag-breakdown ka anytime," he said.

(If you have a problem, do not immediately think of killing yourself. You should reach out to your friends, family, or anyone you feel comfortable talking to or are okay with. It is important to release your thoughts and your problems so that they will not build up and lead to a breakdown anytime)

Finally, Athena Michailla B. Cobero, 18, representing academe, from Baroy, Lanao del Norte, shared the importance of giving voice to the youth.

"The LCPC is giving children, say what they want or the things that are bothering them, to be able to ask for help from the government," she said.

Governors, mayors, and barangay chairpersons are in charge of LCPCs, which have members from various agencies, offices, and organizations with concerns pertaining either directly or indirectly to children.

Also, they are meant to help the CWC and regional committees and subcommittees for the welfare of children mainstream and, more importantly, localize the implementation and monitoring of the goals in the National Plan of Action for Children. (JMOR/PIA-10)