CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — Over 500 children participated in the fun run with fun color bubbles and “Larong Pinoy,” or Filipino games, highlighting the kick-off ceremony of the 32nd National Children’s Month celebration at the Xavier University Senior High School on November 10.
The festivities began as early as 6:00 a.m., when children from nursery to high school, along with their parents, gathered at the open field to participate in activities. They also enjoyed porridge and ice cream to sustain the morning games.
“We should celebrate children’s month precisely because we want to celebrate the gains, those positive accomplishments, in the sector of children, the realization of the four gifts of children embodied by the law; nga kailangan naa ang (there needs to be) gifts of children in each LGU, and we are constantly doing that,” Ramel F. Jamen, regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10 and chair of the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC)-10, said.
The theme, “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines!” underscores the critical importance of safeguarding every child’s right to grow up in an environment free from violence and harm.
Jamen also mentioned that, despite the accomplishments, there are still some areas that require attention, such as the implementation of child-friendly communities by local government units and the investigation and reduction of child labor and online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC).
“So ang responsibility sa LGU dako kaayo. So mao na ang council nagtan-aw niini nga naa na ba kini mga Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC); kung naa, are they functioning well sa ilang responsibilities, again ang pagtinabangay ani nga sitwasyon, dili lang responsibilities sa mama og papa, being the head of the family, but utro pud ang mga barangay,” he said.
(The responsibility of the LGU is very significant. That’s why the council is looking into whether there are Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPC), and if they exist, are they functioning well in carrying out their responsibilities? Once again, addressing this situation requires collaboration. It’s not just the responsibility of the parents, as heads of the family, but also of the barangays.)
Gayle Escobido, child representative of the RCWC-10, shared the importance of celebrating Children’s Month and ensuring that their voices are heard.
“To the children out there, do not let anyone or any people silence you because your voice matters the most. Kay kita man ang ginaingon nga pag-asa or paglaum para sa kaugmaon sa atong nasud kung ignon nila nga hilom kay bata pa ka, no! Go and raise your voice because your voice matters,” she said.
(To the children out there, do not let anyone silence you because your voice matters the most. We are called the hope for the future of our nation. If they tell you to stay quiet because you’re just a child, no! Speak up and raise your voice because your voice matters.)
The celebration is spearheaded by the RCWC-10 in coordination and full support by the City Government of Cagayan de Oro through its City Social Welfare Development Office.
In accordance with Republic Act No. 10661, the National Children’s Month in the Philippines is annually celebrated every month of November, in commemoration of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1989, which seeks significance to Filipino consciousness as well as sustains the promotion and protection of children’s rights. (JMOR/PIA-10)
