QUEZON CITY — The 32nd National Children’s Month (NCM) culminated with a festive celebration, with the theme “Bawat Bata, Dapat Happy!”, on November 28, 2024, at the Annex Atrium, 4th Floor, SM City North EDSA.
This year’s National Children’s Month theme, “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines!”, focused on the urgent need to address and prevent violence against Filipino children while promoting their rights to safety, well-being, and development.
The 32nd NCM Culminating Celebration brought together children, government agencies, local partners, and children and their families, for a series of exciting activities that highlighted the importance of protecting children from all forms of violence.
The event featured a range of interactive booths and activity corners where children could engage in fun, educational, and hands-on experiences such as learning and engaging in martial arts, do-it-yourself card making and quilling, urban gardening, and face painting. Children also took center stage in performances that showcased their diverse talents and skills, offering them a platform to express themselves creatively and confidently. Throughout the event, inspirational messages from key government officials, child welfare advocates, and NCM partners underscored the critical need to protect children and foster a safe environment for their growth and development.
Additionally, the event recognized the invaluable support of partner agencies, NGOs, and individual stakeholders who played a key role in the success of the 2024 National Children’s Month celebration.
“Ang bawat isa ay dapat kumilos at magkaisa na proteksyonan at ipagtanggol ang karapatan ng mga bata laban sa anumang uri ng karahasan,” said Usec. Angelo M. Tapales, Executive Director V of the Council for the Welfare of Children in his opening message. “Sa ating sama-samang pagmamatyag at pagtugon laban sa karahasan sa ating mga bata at kabataan, sila ay masasagip sa kalupitan ng buhay.”
To recap, the following were the major activities and programs spearheaded and/or joined by the Council for the Welfare of Children in collaboration with partner agencies, organizations, and sectors:
• October 18, 2024: The 32nd National Children’s Month Press Conference, Talakayang Makabata, held at the Philippine Information Agency in Quezon City
• November 5-6, 2024: The National Children’s Month Kickoff Ceremony and Legislative Conference for the Welfare and Protection of Children, hosted in partnership with the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP), at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.
• November 9, 2024: The National Play Advocacy Week Play Fair at Kolehiyo ng Dasmariñas, Cavite
• November 14, 2024: The launch of the 4th National Plan of Action for Children (NPAC) and the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) Toolkit took place as part of celebration of the “32nd National Children’s Month: Batang Proktektado, Batang May Bukas -Parada ng mga Pangarap 2024” at the Valenzuela City People’s Park Amphitheater
• November 18-21, 2024: National Children’s Month Celebration at the House of Representatives
• Month-long: VACKit: Whys and Hows of Violence against Children Campaign
The 32nd NCM Culminating Celebration provided a fitting conclusion to our collective commitment to ending violence against children and ensuring that every Filipino child grows up in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment. (CWC)
