Tandag mayor delivers 1st ‘State of the Children
Address’
By Venus L. Garcia
TANDAG CITY, Oct. 18 (PIA) – “Let us hand in
hand strengthen child’s welfare by institutionalizing responsible parenthood,
thereby, molding our children to become truly responsible and productive
citizens.” These are the words expressed by Roxanne C. Pimentel, Tandag City
mayor and chairperson of Council for Protection of Children, as she delivered
her “State of the Children Address” during the 1st Children’s Congress held Friday
in the city gymnasium, this city.
Pimentel encouraged everyone to know and protect
the rights of the children. “I urge all sectors of the community to be
cooperative in raising well the Filipino children for they are the future
promoters of our nation’s development,” she invoked to everybody.
In her address, she cited the existing
situational levels of children population in the city. “ Of the total
population of Tandag, 35.42 percent are children of marginalized families; 48
percent comprises the population of 18 years old and below; 48 percent of the
children population live in the urban zone,” bared Pimentel.
She identified them as the core beneficiaries of
the programs and projects that support the children’s welfare and survival
activities.
The city government has also implemented health
and nutrition program services for children and has provided allocation for
education as well, said Mayor Pimentel.
“We have 21 health centers in the entire city
which are operated by 314 health personnel and service providers. This has
resulted to a decline of dengue cases in children and decrease of maternal and
infant mortality rate. Our local infant immunization efficiency rating also
increased per household,” she recounted.
Likewise, there are 379 students who benefitted
from educational assistance; 5,987 pupils/students are now enrolled under
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps); 1,378 preschoolers got the advantage
of day care services.
Included in the array of programs are the
incorporation of Gender and Development (GAD) plan, granting of scholarships,
and construction and rehabilitation of school buildings.
She concluded her speech by telling that “with
these tough task beset before me and before you, let us all together share
these noble responsibilities of not only guiding our children but also building
a culture of child friendliness as we aim to gain recognition to be one of the
country’s child friendly cities,” she said. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Lady mayor promotes Nutrition Program Services
for children
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
TANDAG CITY, Oct. 18 (PIA) – “Every child should
be given proper care and nutrition so they become healthy and smart.”
This was the statement stressed by city mayor
Roxanne C. Pimentel in her First State of the Children Address here, citing its
significant activities on its Nutrition Program Services for the children for
this year.
Pimentel bared that that the city government is
continuously conducting the Periodic assessment of children’s nutritional
status by doing Annual Operation Timbang, and monthly weighing of severely
malnourished.
“In 2008, the 1,373 or 18 percent underweight
and severely underweight preschool children was reduced to 11.7 percent in
2012. Children aged 6-12 at 1,275 or 15 percent also increased to 16.5
percent,” she said.
Pimentel also said that the city government
continuously conducts the following activities in support to the welfare of the
children and their parents: provides nutri-pack supplementary foods;
disseminates information education on proper nutrition, breastfeeding and
maternal child health care – consumption of fortified food or 'Sangkap Pinoy'
food products through mothers’ class: home visits, counseling and for a
stronger campaign on backyard home yard gardening and raising of small animals
for household food security; and referrals of children for micro-nutrient
supplementation, deworming and related activities that address health problems.
“Convergence coordination among various
government agencies, non-government organizations, civil society organizations,
and even international communities is very vital to alleviate the impoverished
socio-economic situation of the families with malnourished children,” stressed
Pimentel.
The First Children’s Congress in the city is in
time with this year’s 21st National Children’s Month celebration with the
theme, “Kahirapan Wakasan, Karapatan ng Bata Ipaglaban.” (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Our education indicators have remained above the
nat’l standard, says Tandag City Mayor Pimentel
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
TANDAG CITY, Oct. 18 (PIA) – During her First
State of the Children’s Address held today at the city gymnasium here, Mayor
Roxanne C. Pimentel bared its accomplishments in the fulfillment of proper
education to children.
“In Tandag City Division, we have 5,987
students/pupils enrolled under Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and
increasing by 10 percent a year. The severely malnourished enrollees reduced
from 238 to 94 pupils. There are also 25 pupils under the Arabic Language in
Values Education (ALIVE)/MADRASAH Curriculum,” said Pimentel.
The city government also caters free Childhood
Education to 16 schools through Service Contracting Scheme. “We also have
classes with the Special Education Curriculums – the Special Science, the SPED
class for fast learners in Tandag and Complete Special Education for the 251
gifted and talented pupils from kinder to Grade six and 44 children with
Complete Special Education Needs (CSEN) like those with hearing and visual
impairment, autism, intellectual and learning disability,” bared Pimentel.
At present, there are already ten CSEN pupils
who are mainstreamed to the regular class program.
“Our education indicators have remained above
the national standard. These include the teacher-ratio of 1:28 that remain the
same in the elementary level, and also 1:28 in high school, which is higher
than the national ratio of 1:40. Our grade six pupils have kept their
increasing high scores in the National Achievement Test (NAT) from 84.12
percent to 86.12 percent. We then belong to top one in the NAT throughout the
Philippines,” revealed Pimentel.
Also, there are already 1,378 preschool children
enrolled in the Day Care Centers in the 21 barangays of Tandag City.
With these developments, Mayor Pimentel is
looking forward for an increased number of enrollees in the schools as the city
government continues to implement its programs for them. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
