MARAWI CITY (PIA) — The Bangsamoro Government, through the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), conducted an outreach program and child rights awareness campaign at the Marawi City Jail on November 14, as part of the Bangsamoro Children’s Month celebration. Over 70 children of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) participated in interactive activities organized by MSSD and its partner agencies.
Johynne Amilyn Nasa, MSSD’s regional focal person for the Child and Youth Welfare Program, said this year’s celebration aims to raise awareness of children’s rights while supporting vulnerable children across the Bangsamoro region.
“Our outreach program here in Marawi City Jail is the first in a series of activities that MSSD has prepared for this month. Through activities and awareness campaigns like this, we aim to strengthen the Bangsamoro community’s knowledge of children’s rights and welfare,” Nasa said.
This year’s theme, “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Bangsamoro!” emphasizes the Bangsamoro Government’s commitment to creating a safer environment for children by addressing issues like abuse, neglect, and violence.
During the program, the children enjoyed games and group activities. MSSD also distributed food packs, tumblers, caps, and umbrellas to the children and their parents. Hygiene kits were also given to women PDLs.
“Masaya ako na nakasama ang mga anak ko sa ganitong activity. Sobrang saya nila lalo na nakatanggap pa sila ng mga supplies tulad ng tumbler na pangarap ko lang bilhin para sa kanila. Maraming salamat sa pag-alala MSSD,” said Ali (not his real name), one of the PDLs, expressing his gratitude to MSSD.
[I am truly grateful that my children were able to participate in this activity. They are overjoyed, especially when they receive the supplies, like the tumblers, which I had only dreamed of being able to buy for them. Thank you so much, MSSD, for thinking of us and making this possible.]
On the same day, MSSD and its partner agencies conducted jail visitation and monitoring at the Lanao del Sur Provincial Jail and Marawi City Jail to verify that no minors were being held in detention facilities. This initiative supports the government’s commitment to strengthening juvenile justice protections in the region.
Representatives from the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee (RJJWC), Ministry of Health (MOH), Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC), Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), and City Social Welfare and Development Office joined the said events.
The Bangsamoro Government continues to champion children’s rights as an integral part of its vision for a peaceful and inclusive community. (BIO & MSSD /PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)
