In recognition of National Children’s Month Last November 2020
This year’s National Children’s Month (NCM) (last November) is intended to focus on “Upholding Children’s Rights During the Pandemic Like COVID-19” with the theme
“Sama-samang Itaguyod Ang Karapatan ng Bawat Bata sa Panahon ng Pandemya!”
This is an important topic, because as difficult as the pandemic has been for all, it is society’s most vulnerable groups that are hardest hit.
For children, who are the next generation of our citizenry, they are still undergoing one of the most sensitive periods in their lives. Unfortunately, the difficulties of today such as limited access to much needed food and sustenance and limited access to quality education can affect their development and wellbeing in the long run. Therefore it is a priority for me that the Local Government of Aliaga works to double our efforts aimed at providing more inclusive access and support in these two key areas.
Our ongoing daily distribution of relief goods, which include food packs, milk, canned goods, and other necessities, to families in need is an important vehicle of support for helping parents and their children during this time.
Our support and coordination with the RHU helps bring much needed medical assistance to underprivileged members of society, many of whom have availed the services of its pedia wing.
In addition to these, we are also working to accomplish the following goals to make Aliaga a more nurturing and caring environment for all children, as outlined by the Council for the Welfare of Children:
Intensify public awareness on children’s rights and knowledge, adequate care for children, and application of positive discipline in daily dealings with children;
Promote further the institutionalization of a child-friendly environment and governance by promoting implementation and monitoring of child – related protocols at the sub – national levels;
Provide a platform for discourse on persistent and arising issues pertaining to children’s rights to survival, development, protection, and participation during and post COVID -19;
Empower the children as rights-holders to claim and protect their rights; and
Equip the duty-bearers to deliver their commitment and fulfil their obligations to protect children and fulfill rights of children.
It is often said it takes a village to raise a child. Aliaga is our village. At the Municipality we invite every Aliageno to partner with us in safeguarding the rights of our children. Here every one can play an important role in looking after the long term development of our youth.
We will continue to strive to improve the health, safety, education, and development of the youth according to our abilities. It is my fervent hope that our efforts to uphold children’s rights go beyond the celebration of this month, but instead extends into a conscious effort shared by all, all year.
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