Caraga RCWC gears up preparation for 2014
Children’s Month celeb
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 17 (PIA) – The Regional
Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) led by the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) has stepped up preparations for this year’s
National Children’s Month celebration in October.
The objective of this year’s celebration is to
emphasize the important role of the child within the Filipino Family and in
nation building.
The month-long celebration will kick-off on
October 4 with a Thanksgiving Mass at 5:30 a.m., to be followed with a Fun Walk
activity from the city’s Guingona Park going to the Provincial Capitol Covered
Court, where the program proper will be held.
According to Aldie Mae Andoy, RCWC focal person
of DSWD-Caraga, the fun walk activity is dubbed “Awareness Walk on Children’s
Rights.”
“It will be held simultaneously at the national
and regional levels through the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of
Children and at all local government units in partnership with the Liga ng mga
Barangay, Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines and the Vice Governors’ League
of the Philippines,” relayed Andoy.
Andoy further bared that in Butuan City,
participants of the walk are the student leaders in high schools; street
children; children in conflict with the law; victims of child labor; and the
Pantawid children.
During the short program, DSWD Caraga regional
director Minda Brigoli will deliver her welcome remarks while inspirational
messages will also be given by Agusan del Norte 1st district representative
Lawrence Lemuel Fortun; Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba; and Butuan
City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr.
Also, the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) will be awarding the eligible local government units (LGUs)
in Butuan and Agusan del Norte for the Child Friendly Local Governance while
other LGUs will be awarded simultaneously by the Municipal Local Government
Operations Officers (MLGOOs) of their respective areas.
Meanwhile, the member-agencies also agreed to
conduct the following: 1) Regional Children’s Congress; 2) Forum with
Legislators; and 3) TV/Radio guestings, among others.
Said celebration is anchored on the theme, “Bata
Kasali Ka, Ikaw ay Mahalaga!” It highlights the children’s rights to
participation and encourage stakeholders to promote and advocate for children’s
participation in decision-making process at all levels specifically at home,
family and community. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
