MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA) -- Provincial Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong, Jr. reiterated the commitment of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Government to safeguarding the welfare and rights of children.

In his Lanao del Sur Children's Report, Adiong bared the Provincial Government's initiatives in mainstreaming children's rights, such as the implementation of the Ranaw Children's Code. This legislative framework recognizes the indispensable role of youth and children in nation-building and aims to ensure their protection and well-being.

Among the significant efforts highlighted by the governor was the reinforcement of the Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC) and the Provincial Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Their Children (PCAT-VAWC), allocating one percent of the province’s Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) to support programs and activities geared towards child welfare.

Adiong also outlined various initiatives focused on enhancing children's health and education. These initiatives included providing medical assistance to 3,948 pediatric patients, organizing health summits, implementing a 90-day feeding program targeting malnourished children, and distributing welfare goods to Torils, schools, orphans, and indigent children. Support was likewise extended to 59 special education (SPED) learners, 77 children with disabilities, and 800 children of solo parents through monthly assistance and care packages. 

Highlighting the importance of sports engagement, the governor further underscored the provision of support to children participating in sports activities such as the Division Meet and Palarong BARMMAA, which included the distribution of sacks of rice. Moreover, schools and madrasahs across the province have received a total of 10,000 armed chairs to enhance learning environments.

In terms of infrastructure, Adiong emphasized the enhancement of school and children's facilities, including the establishment of 112 water and sanitation facilities, 27 health centers, a one-story progressive type of school building for Grade 10 of MSU-ILS, 29 child development centers, nine learning centers, 29 school buildings, and one open gymnasium for Ibn Siena Integrated School. 

The provincial government also introduced the Arabic Alphabet in Sign Language program. This initiative, which the Lanao People's Park and Public Library are facilitating, aims to increase the knowledge and accessibility of education for children with disabilities.

Adiong underlined the importance of collective responsibility for providing a safe and nurturing environment for the youth and expressed the provincial government's commitment to collaboration with other organizations to further enhance the well-being of children.

“Our collective responsibility is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for our youth. Partnering with organizations like UNDP, UNICEF, Save the Children, and others, we aim to strengthen our commitment to the well-being of Meranaw and Bangsamoro learners,” he reiterated. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)