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Siquijor Observes Children's Month

Siquijor observes children's month

2008/10/23

PIA Press Release

By Rizalie A. Calibo

Province of Siquijor (23 October) -- The provincial government of Siquijor through the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children has lined-up activities for the Children's Month celebration.

In meeting held earlier, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Tomas Villarubia said that highlights of the celebration includes conduct of information caravan in all towns starting on October 14 in Maria town, October 15 in the towns of San Juan and Larena, October 17 in Lazi, and October 22 in Enrique Villanueva. The council is yet to set another schedule for Siquijor town since the scheduled October 10 infodrive was not pushed through due to conflict of schedules of the participants. The town will however, host the provincial orientation/advocacy on the Laws of Children on October 27 to 29.

Maria town, on the other hand, is this year's host of the Provincial Children's Month Congress on October 30.

The province has also enjoined all mothers to the synchronized breastfeeding worldwide on October 11.

This year's Children's Month theme is "Bright Child: Sa Tamang Pag-aaruga, Kinabukasan ay Maginhawa."

Villarubia explained that the "bright child" concept focuses in children from 0-6 years old under the Early Childhood Care and Development or ECCD, a program that gives attention to the child's development, health, education and social services.

The Department of Health (DOH) through the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) will also conduct "Garantisadong Pambata," a program that gives vitamin A capsules to children from six months to six years old, routine immunization (bakuna) and deworming activity.

This is in line with the Presidential Proclamation No. 267 which declares the month of October as National Children's Month.

This year's theme gives emphasis on the importance of rearing children with consideration on the four fundamental rights of the child as embodied on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC): the Right to Survival, Protection, Development and Participation.

The CRC stipulates that the right to good health, proper nutrition, quality education and a meaningful participation of children with the concerted efforts and cooperation of various sectors at all levels.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo earlier called on the people to work together to face the challenges of the global financial crisis, saying it is imperative the people to unite and focus on what they can contribute to further improve the country's economy and the lives of the poor.

In her address during the closing session of the Local and Peace Security Assembly (LPSA) held at the convention hall of the Filipiniana Hotel and Resort here, the President told the 200 forum participants to pull together and help the national government avert the impact of the global financial crunch on the Philippines.

The national government, she pointed out, is doing everything within its power to put food on the table and protect the people's earnings from high prices and high inflation.

"We are continuing to invest in the nation's system of healthcare, education and social services," she noted.

"That is why we are working hard to keep down the prices of rice, food and fuel and to continue to increase the number of jobs and the investments that will continue to generate employment opportunities for more of our countrymen," she said. (PIA)