The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, Chair of the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC), led the Regional Children’s Congress 2024. The event gathered children, advocates, and stakeholders across the Caraga Region.

The congress, held in celebration of National Children’s Month and the 35th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC), served as a venue for the children to present insights and recommendations for policies affecting their rights, with stakeholders pledging to incorporate these into future programs and policy initiatives.

Key activities included the discussion on RA11930 OSAEC and CSAEM Law, as well as interactive sessions on critical topics such as child protection protocols, online safety, and mental health. Expert resource persons included RCWC Caraga Regional Coordinator Ms. Krysta Ryedel De Jose, Assistant City Prosecutor of Tandag City Atty. Allen Montenegro Gasulas, and DSWD Caraga Protective Services Division Chief Jessie Catherine Aranas.

Additionally, the event featured the election of Caraga CAN’s new set of officers, ensuring active child leadership in the region’s advocacy for children’s rights. DSWD Field Office Caraga and RCWC expressed gratitude to the Province of Surigao del Sur for its support in ensuring the congress’s success.

This year’s Regional Children’s Congress held on November 22-24 at Shacene Hotel and Restaurant in Tandag City underscores that meaningful collaboration among duty-bearers, children, and advocates leads to real change. By listening to children’s voices, the region moves closer to achieving a future where every child thrives in a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment.

As Caraga celebrates National Children’s Month, this is a testament that children are not just beneficiaries but active contributors to society’s progress.