The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga, in collaboration with the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) Caraga, successfully carried out the month-long celebration of The National Children’s Month (NCM) 2021.

With the national theme, “New Normal na Walang Iwanan: Karapatan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan!”, this year’s celebration culminated on November 29, 2021 at SM Butuan, Cinema 1, attended by the different organizations and partner-agencies of DSWD and RCWC Caraga.

During the month-long celebration, various competitions for the children in Caraga were conducted such as the Kids Showtime, Spoken-poetry, and Advocacy videos Kidstival. Winners were proclaimed during the culminating program.

Aside from these competitions, DSWD, together with RCWC Caraga and its different partner-agencies, LGUs and non-government organizations, led the simultaneous distribution of gift-items to chosen residential care centers in Caraga Region.

Gift-items such as provision of meals, hygiene kits, clothing, vitamins and educational materials were handed-over to GESU Eucaristico Children’s Incorporated in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, Lingap Center, and Home For Boys in Butuan City on November 5, 2021, Agusan National High School SPED Center on November 8, 2021, and Bethany Homes in Surigao City last November 14, 2021, among others.

In addition, an Adopt-a-Barangay Library and Gift-giving activity also took place in the Indigenous Peoples (IP) Communities in Sitio Dinarawan, Brgy. San Pablo, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.

Protective Services Division Chief, Jessie Catherine B. Aranas, speaking on behalf of DSWD OIC- Regional Director Ramel F. Jamen, extended her heartfelt gratitude to DSWD and RCWC Caraga’s partners in making the said activity possible because of their never-ending support to the advocacies intended for the protection and promotion on the welfare of children.

“On behalf sa among OIC-RD Jamen, dako kaayo mi og pasalamat sa atong mga inter-agencies ug LGUs, especially sa PLGU of Agusan del Norte, ug sa mga partner-organizations sa suporta nga ginahatag sa RCWC. Nanghinaot mi nga sa padayon nga pag-palambo para sa kaayohan ug proteksyon sa atong mga kabataan (,” Aranas cited.

Moreover, NCM 2021 celebration will not be completed without conducting its yearly Regional Children’s Zoomgress – a venue where rights and protection of every child are being addressed, and the recitation of Panatang Makabata Oath, participated by DSWD and members of RCWC Caraga spearheaded by Chairperson, RD Jamen, together with the PSD Chief, Aranas, and representatives from different organizations and LGUs all over the Region.

Makabatang Model partner awards were also given to DSWD and RCWC Caraga’s partner-agencies and groups/organizations, in recognition of their exemplary commitment and continuous promotion on the welfare and protection of the rights of the children in Caraga.

To strengthen this advocacy, DSWD and RCWC Caraga organized the Kid’s O’clock campaign with Isang Minutong Hugong ng Despertador (A minute buzz of the alarm clock) to awaken and invite everyone to make an effort in addressing the needs of the children especially in this time of pandemic.

Amidst the threat of pandemic, DSWD and RCWC Caraga, will continue its implementation of advocacies that eyes on putting an end to issues about child abuse and exploitation, as children are considered one of the most vulnerable sectors of the community.

Thus, provision of protective and promotive services for the welfare of children in Caraga will carry on with the support and collaborative efforts of the agency’s partners and duty-bearers.

The NCM 2021 is celebrated every November of every year by virtue of Republic Act 10661 or the National Children’s Month Act of 2015 declares its observance every November with the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Youth Commission (NYC) as the chair inter-agencies working group.#