Yesterday was a historic event for the children in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao. A resolution “giving full support to Bangsamoro Children’s Declaration in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child” was unanimously passed by the BARMM parliament, most of them asking to add their names as co-author or author of the resolution.
Karin Hulshof, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific, said it was overwhelming to see 12 children representing the region talk about their issues and concerns to a full parliament. The BARMM parliament convened a special session for this specific resolution.
The UNICEF says Bangsamoro children are among the poorest in the country and are left behind under all major indicators of development.
This is a leap forward, Hulshof said. This brings children at the heart of Bangsamoro development initiatives. Hulshof calls it a dream come true for all the children whose childhood are shattered by conflict.
For one member of parliament who gave an impassioned speech in support of the resolution, allocating budget should be a priority for the greatest human resources of the region. Investing in children is ensuring that the next generation will have a better life and bigger opportunities. This means no child must be left behind in the quest for development.
