BUTUAN CITY- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga led the kick-off celebration of the 24th National Children’s Month (NCM) on November 4, 2016 held at LJ Mega Convention Center, this city.
This year’s celebration bears the theme, “Isulong: Kalidad na Edukasyon Para sa Lahat ng Bata”.
Part of the activity is a holy mass at St. Joseph Cathedral, followed by a motorcade and a program proper started at 9:00 in the morning.
These activities were actively participated by the member agencies of the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC).
In her inspirational message, Regional Minda B. Brigoli, emphasized the significance of celebrating children’s month every November.
“It is significant to note that the theme is aligned with DSWD’s efforts in ensuring that the rights of children are upheld and protected and all of them are provided with a quality of life,” said Brigoli.
“The DSWD as an agency that gives priority to the poorest of the poor, in the same vein do we recognize that the rights of children who come from the poor and marginalized sectors of Philippine society must be given priority,” she added.
On the other hand, Flora Mae Maglasang, former resident of Home for Girls emotionally shared her experience from childhood.
“Grabe kalisod sa akong na-agian, gibiyaan ko sa akung amahan grade 1 pa lang ko hangtud nga nakasulod ko sa home for girls. Naningkamut ko nga makahuman ko sa pag-eskwela pinaagi sa pag-avail sa scholarship tungod kay wa’y kapas nga maka-eskwela ang akong inahan (Life is not easy for me, my father left me when I was in Grade 1 and then was brought to Home for Girls. I strived hard to pursue my dreams through taking scholarship because my mother can’t afford sending me to school),” shared Maglasong.
“Kung nagpadala lang ko sa kalisod na akung na-agian sauna, dili ko mahimong maestra karung panahona (If I allowed poverty to hinder my dreams, I will not become a teacher now),” she shared.
Furthermore, the DSWD in partnership with the RCWC members will conduct the Children’s Congress this coming November 29, 2016.
The 24th National Children’s Month (NCM) Celebration in November 2016 is pursuant to Republic Act 10661, otherwise known as “National Children’s Month Act”. The declaration commemorates the adoption of the convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989. ###(ABEGAIL R. ALVAREZ/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)
