THE CITY government will gather 182 young representatives from 182 barangays for the Children’s Congress on Nov. 24-25 at the World Place Hotel to tackle issues faced by kids and the measures taken to address them.
The congress is in line with the 31st National Children’s Month through the City’s Special Office for Children’s Concerns (SOCC).
SOCC head Consorcia B. Ronquillo said there is a need for the children to be aware of their rights and where and how they can access needed assistance.
“Importante gyud nga matagaan og pagtagad atoang kabataan para makabalo sila sa ilahang katungod labi na karon nga nagkalain-lain nga mga issues nga na-raise sa atoang kabataan,” Ronquillo stressed.
SOCC also initiated a three-series caravan with local government agencies and civil society organizations, which started on Nov. 6 in Rizal Park, City Hall grounds, on Nov. 8 at Buhangin Gym, and on Nov. 9 at Toril Proper Gym.
Ronquillo said the activities will teach kids about Survival, Development, Protection, and Participation.
Some of the city-accredited activities include the Family Day of Parents of Children with Disabilities at PMAG Tambayan, Lanzona Subdivision on Nov. 27.
The Davao City FYOP Youth Core Group will also conduct a regular comprehensive sexuality education webinar every Saturday, while the FYOP Respond is open for consultation regarding sex and gender-based violence awareness every Monday to Friday.
The city’s celebration is pursuant to the Republic Act No. 10661 signed by late former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, declaring every November of every year as National Children’s Month.
“This declaration commemorates the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 November 1989, and seeks to instill its significance in the Filipino consciousness,” Republic Act No. 10661 Section 2 reads.
Meanwhile, the Mindanao Coalition on Children’s Rights and the Mindanao Peace Council will participate in the 34th Universal Children’s Day (UNCRC) to promote children’s welfare in Mindanao.
About 700 kids from all over Mindanao will join the celebration on Nov. 20 at the Abreeza Mall, Davao, bared Vince Molejon, MCCR co-convener and MPC secretary general.
Molejon said the celebration will highlight “Galing mo Kid” and “Children’s Champ” awardees from exceptional government and non-government agencies.
A Fun Art Contest for children with special needs will be conducted on Nov. 11 at the Latter Day’s Church at the corner of C.M. Recto and Rizal streets. Awardees for the contest will be recognized on Nov. 20.
Molejon said two projects of the MPC will be soft launched, namely the “Bata be Alert! Advocacy Education on Child Protection Against Sexual Abuse (Good Touch vs Bad Touch) and the Community Child Alert Network (CCAN).
CCAN is a new strategy approach of the coalition to address if not immediately respond to the high cases of violence against children.
