By Gio J. Tanudtanud
THE REGIONAL Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) aims to safeguard children’s privacy and mental health, especially on how they are projected in the media following a series of calamities in Davao Region.
During the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City on Feb. 19, Renee Boy Binondo, RSCWC regional coordinator, reminded the media and even the public of the ethical standards and proper guidelines on covering children survivors of landslides, flooding, and other disasters.
Binondo cited some vloggers from social media platforms interviewing children without proper safety measures to ensure they don’t relive the trauma.
He said these children suffer from traumatic events like the loss of life and the disasters they’ve witnessed. The trauma extends to the rescuers and caregivers after having experienced a life-altering episode.
“Based on our data on DOH on mental health and psychosocial support, ang trauma nagagawas, sa atong rescuer pa lang ni ha, two years, three years sa trabaohan (the trauma surfaces two or three years), so how much more these victims,” he said.
Binondo also said they do not want to single out the mainstream media noting the guidelines and protocols of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) in covering children.
Because of these concerns, they will be looking at the full implementation of Republic Act No. 10821 also known as the “Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act” to localize the Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children and observe child-friendly spaces if they are at evacuation centers.
“We are monitoring that one to prevent child abuse and exploitation and other harmful experiences that can be encountered by children including the four rights of the bata (free from violence, coercion, exploitation, and deprivation),” he said.
