(Photo by Gelaine Louise Gutierrez/PIA-NCR)
TAGUIG CITY, (PIA) — The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) CALABARZON celebrated the 10th birthday of the Philippines’ “100 millionth symbolic children” with an educational tour at the Mind Museum in Bonifacio Global City on Saturday.
Ten children from various parts of the CALABARZON region, born on July 27, 2014, were honored as representatives of the country’s 100 millionth population milestone.
The event marked a shift from traditional gift-giving ceremonies to an interactive learning experience.
(Photo by Gelaine Louise Gutierrez/PIA-NCR)
“This celebration is not just for the kids, but for the entire community and all our local partners who have worked tirelessly to support these children’s overall welfare,” said Marilyn Ogaya, CPD CALABARZON’s Regional Director.
The children, hailing from cities like Dasmariñas, Calamba, and Antipolo, participated in hands-on activities and interactive exhibits designed to foster scientific curiosity.
The ten symbolic children include: Princess Victoria Brutas of Dasmariñas City, Cavite; Elisha Villagonzalo of Calamba City, Laguna; Markee Morales of Cavinti, Laguna; Cyrus Rullen of Lipa City, Batangas; Vinz Miguel Pasia of Batangas City; Chonalyn Sentino, King Iverson Trono, and JL Gernale, all from Antipolo City; Jay Cris Reyes of Binangonan, Rizal; and Rheavel Aja A. Echemane of Infanta, Quezon. The event also included focus group discussions with the children and their parents to assess the impact of government support programs.
(Photos by Gelaine Louise Gutierrez/PIA-NCR)
Ogaya highlighted the challenges faced in monitoring these symbolic children over the past decade, including difficulties in locating residences and providing necessary support.
“Nung monthly monitoring na niya, kasi hinanap na namin ‘yung kanilang residence, and then monthly nagmomonitor kami. Tapos after a year, noong yearly na siya, pumupunta po kami sa kanilang residence, isa-isa po namin silang pinupuntahan at may team po kaming nagpupunta sa mga lugar nila sa region, at nakita po namin ‘yung iba wala talagang mga bahay, o maayos na tirahan, so paano naman ‘yung ganung sitwasyon?” she said.
(During the monthly monitoring, we searched for their residences, and then we conducted monthly monitoring. After a year, when it became an annual check, we visited their residences one by one, with our team going to their locations in the region. We found that some of them really had no homes or proper living conditions. So, what about those situations?)
“Kaya tumulong na kami noon. Kaya kami po, nagbibigay na kami ng support. Then, kinokoordinate po namin sa province, sa mga opisyal, at binigyan po sila ng pabahay, and then, binigyan din po ng trabaho ‘yung magulang nung bata,” she added.
(That’s why we started helping them back then. We began providing support, coordinating with the province and local officials. They were given housing, and the parents of the children were also given jobs.)
The commission has worked closely with local government units to address issues such as housing and employment for the children’s parents.
As of 2020, the Philippines’ population stood at 109 million, with projections suggesting it may have reached 111 million. The CALABARZON region alone accounts for approximately 16 million residents.
The CPD emphasized the importance of education and health in securing a better future for these children and others like them.
“We’re here to support them always,” Ogaya said, stressing the value of data collection in informing policy decisions and resource allocation for youth development.
This celebration underscores the Philippine government’s ongoing efforts to monitor population growth and its implications for national development. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
