Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte addresses the city regarding the accomplishments of the local government in the promotion of children’s rights in her 5th State of the City’s Children Report. (Screengrab from Quezon City Government)
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — During the 5th State of the City’s Children Report of Mayor Joy Belmonte on Sunday, November 19, she championed the different local initiatives that paved the way for Quezon City to establish a child-friendly community.
“Ang kabataan, saan man panig ng mundo ay may karapatan, at dapat makamit ito ng bawat bata (The youth, wherever they are in the world have inherent rights, and these should be extended to each child),” said the local chief executive.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), there are 1,145,998 young people aged 0 to 17 years old who are residing in the city. In effect, the city government is cognizant of its pivotal role in ensuring that the foremost needs of every child are met.
For Children’s Month alone, the local government was able to set out activities that are promotive of child rights as well as the inclusive development and empowerment of the children sector.
These include the Children’s Summit which was geared towards the engagement of children in the local climate action and the Anti-OSAEC (Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children) Conference that tackled essential ways on how to eliminate the exposure and vulnerability of children to different faces of abuse and exploitation.
Mayor Belmonte also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Undersecretary Angelo Tapales of the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) to further advance the utilization of an integrated reporting system for violence against children through the Makabata Helpline 1383 and QC Helpline 122.
The city government also forged a collaboration with civil society organizations, World Vision Philippines and Project ACE (Against Child Exploitation), to promote the Zero Child Labor Campaign.
To date, 2,400 of the 10,000 identified child laborers in Quezon City were already removed from child labor through the aid of Task Force Sampaguita which is a local body intended for the protection of children against forced labor and exploitation.
“Our city continues to aid the children and uplift their dignity and humanity. Our city continues to remove any impairment against the growth of the children, particularly against exploitation and abuse,” said District District III Councilor Geleen Lumbad, Chairperson of the Committee on Children’s Affair.
District District III Councilor Geleen Lumbad of the Committee on Children’s Affair also graces the event. (Screengrab from Quezon City Government)
