BONTOC, Mountain Province(PIA)– Upholding the rights of children will safeguard the future of the province.
Mountain Province Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr. highlighted this in his State of the Children Address (SOCA) on November 29 at the Provincial Multipurpose Hall in Bontoc in celebration of the National Children’s Month.
“The rights of children are indispensable for their growth and development. These rights are not just legal and moral obligations that we have to give. More importantly, these rights are the foundations of our vision for a peaceful and developed community,” Lacwasan said in his speech delivered for him by Vice Governor Francis Tauli.
The children’s right to survival, development, participation and protection are important for the complete development of a child. They ensure that children are given the necessary care and protection they need and are treated with respect and dignity. “The rights of children are fundamental freedoms that every child should enjoy regardless of distinctions in race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status,” he added.
Mountain Province Vice Gov. Francis Tauli delivers the State of the Nation Address of Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan on Nov. 29, 2023 at the Provincial Multi-Purpose Hall. The Governor was on official trip in Malacanang.
The children’s right to survival, development, participation and protection are important for the complete development of a child. They ensure that children are given the necessary care and protection they need and are treated with respect and dignity. “The rights of children are fundamental freedoms that every child should enjoy regardless of distinctions in race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status,” he added.
The governor said the government has taken steps to recognize and protect these rights, but more need to be done in addressing child-related issues especially abuses. The identified child-related challenges in the province include physical abuse, sexual abuse, child labor, children in conflict with the law(CICL), and malnutrition.
He reported that the provincial local government unit(PLGU) together with partner agencies and other stakeholders continue to pave and sustain programs to address these challenges.
To ensure the nutritional status of children, health workers regularly monitor young children especially the malnourished. The PLGU also provides medical assistance to identified abused children, livelihood assistance especially to families with child laborers, and conducts various trainings and seminars to students and out-of-school youth.
Another milestone this year is the construction of the Bahay Pag-asa that provides care and appropriate interventions to CILCs.
Two ordinances for the welfare of children were also passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Provincial Ordinance(PO) No. 471 provides for the establishment of the Sumyaan Center as the processing center for children and women who are victims of abuse, and PO No. 481 which declares all school zones in the province as zones of peace.
The governor also bared the plan of the PLGU to come up with a data banking system which will be used for planning and prioritization of programs for children. Also, the immediate organization of Barangay Council for the Protection of Children in all the barangays in the province.
Lacwasan solicited the continued cooperation of everyone to protect children’s rights, and to recognize their valuable contribution to society.(JDP/CVBT-PIA Mt. Province)
Winners of the declamation, singing, and draw and tell contests conducted on November 28,2023 show their talents.
Local officials, personnel of national line agencies, educational institutions, and community members vow to protect the welfare of children, and to recognize their valuable contribution to society.
