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Spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII and the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC), the Central Visayas Children’s Month celebration concluded on November 29, 2023, with a recognition of partners and stakeholders that promoted the health and nutrition of the sector.

Mandaue City Daycare Children perform a lively number during the culminating activity of National Children’s Month.

Republic Act 10661 declares November as a month dedicated to children. The month-long celebration aims to raise awareness and promote their well-being.

This 31st National Children’s Month celebration carries the theme: Healthy, Nourished, Sheltered: Ensuring the Right to Life for All, with regional CWC and DSWD mandated to bring stakeholders, whether private or public, to support the celebration.

NCM’s advocacy activities

 The DSWD-7 children and youth sector and the regional CWC worked together in the conduct of several activities to promote the objectives of the NCM, such as media promotions and the kickoff on November 10, 2023, at SM Seaside, where 300 participants composed of children, parents, and duty-bearers took part in the opening salvo.

Highlights of the kickoff activity included a healthcare policies and nutrition talk from Department of Health and National Nutrition Council representatives and a DSWD Supplementary Feeding Program presentation, an agency intervention for the nutritional needs of children. The DOH also distributed free flu vaccines and oral hygiene kits to the participants.

Another separate activity was a webinar on adolescent sexuality and reproductive health in collaboration with the Commission on Population and Development. It was a response to the country’s national emergency concerning the high number of cases of adolescent pregnancy and HIV cases among the youth.

Participants listened to the discussion on topics of sexuality, reproductive health, and the challenges confronting adolescents.

Through the regional CWC, other government agencies and duty-bearers actively participated in the celebration of Children’s Month.

The duty-bearers and stakeholders widely adopted the Panatang Makabata, or the Pledge for Children, an oath to be recited during prime activities, upholding children’s rights and welfare.

This advocacy was also translated to tangible support through the wearing of blue on all the Fridays of November, showing an appreciation of the joy that children bring and a commitment to protect the innocence of children as they unlock potential in their most crucial developing years.

Recognition of multi-stakeholder efforts

DSWD recognized the duty-bearers and child focused organizations for their support to promote and work to realize the objectives of NCM, as well as their commitment to join hands with the Department in carrying out the month-long celebration.

The following institutions have embarked on a mission to protect and ensure the children’s best interests and welfare:

National Government Agencies and Local Government Units included the Department of Health 7, Police Regional Office 7, Local Government of Cebu City, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology 7, Commission on Population and Development VII, National Nutrition Council VII, Philippine Information Agency VII, DSWD-7 Home for Girls, Regional Federation of Day Care Workers, and Local Government Unit of Argao, Cebu.

A scene from the storytelling session facilitated by the DUWA Academy of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc

Non-government organizations consisted of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., World Vision Development Foundation, Inc., Legal Alternatives for Women Center, Inc., Cebu Malipayon Lions Club, Junior Chamber International Cebu, Inc., SM Seaside Cebu, Golden Prince Hotel and Suites, Simply Share Foundation, Inc., Children’s Legal Bureau, Inc., Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit Centro Day Care Center, and Albert Schweitzer Familienwerk Foundation, Inc.

Their activities, programs, and projects initiated during the celebration have contributed to the promotion of health and nutrition for children.

DSWD-7 Assistant Regional Director for Operations Juanito C. Cantero underscored the importance of working together. “We salute you for your untiring efforts in making this world a better place for our children to live where they are nurtured and safeguarded,” he said.

Various activities, performances, and a magic show delighted the attendees. DUWA Academy-trained child development workers in Argao staged a storytelling session to emphasize the importance of learning and play for children.

A Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. program, DUWA, piloted in LGUs Argao and Bantayan, introduces play and music therapy in early childhood and care development (ECCD) or daycare sessions.

To conclude the activity, the regional congress for child representatives from highly urbanized cities, NGOs, and an IP community in Cebu City was held on November 30, 2023, to select a child representative to sit in the regional council for the welfare of children. ###

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