CITY OF MALOLOS – As part of the National Children’s Month (NCM) celebration this November, the Provincial Government of Bulacan highlighted the conduct of awareness-building activities on the basic rights of all children in the province.
With the theme “Healthy, nourished, sheltered: Ensuring the right to life for all!”, the PSWDO in cooperation with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Council of the Welfare of Children and Office of the President National Youth Commission, has lined up various activities anew.
PSWDO head Rowena Tiongson said the month-long celebration activities include the “Ngiti Mo, Sagot Namin” Free Harelip and Clef Palate Operation for the Bulakenyos Year 20 to be held at the Baliwag District Hospital on December 1 for post operation, Social Media Campaign through the use of 2023 NCM photo frame in Facebook, Instagram, and X as profile picture, BluekadaBiyernes Campaign which enjoin the Bulakenyo to wear blue-colored attire every Friday of November to show support for the month-long celebration as well as to capture photo and have it posted and tagged or mentioned the Council for the Welfare of Children Facebook Page and PSWDO Bulacan and afterwards use the hashtag #BlueKadaBiyernes in the caption on social media. Also, the children’s right advocates call on painting social media ‘blue’ in celebration of the childrens’ joy, innocence and potential.
In addition, the recitation of a solemn oath on the promotion and protection of the rights of a child called ‘Panatang Makabata’ is requested to be part of the 31st NCM activities and every flag ceremony.
Tiongson added that a Pass-A-Book Project will also be held again that invites donor of academic textbooks for English, Science, Filipino, Math and History from Kinder to Grade 12 as well as Literary textbooks (story books), Encyclopedia, Almanac, Dictionary and learning materials like notebook, pad papers, plastic envelope with handle, and pencil.
Gov. Daniel R. Fernando encourages Bulakenyo parents and guardians to perform their responsibilities in the four basic rights of children including survival, development, protection and participation.
“We should cover a child’s right to live and be provided with basic needs including food, shelter and appropriate living conditions, medical care, education, leisure, access to cultural activities, information, and freedom of opinion, conscience, and religion”, the governor said.
Special celebrations on children will also be observed simultaneously in the city/municipal/barangay level on the 1st week of November for survival rights, second week for development rights and fourth week for protection rights week and observance of Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week.
Also, there will be a selection of provincial representative to Regional Children’s Congress on November 21 while Regional Children’s Congress will be held at SM City Pampanga on November 24, Provincial Children’s Month Celebration will be held at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center on November 25 wherein there will be a State of Children’s Address (SOCA), Orientation on RA 10821 – “Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act”, Basic Sign Language to ECCD Service Providers and Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children and Brief Orientation on the duties and responsibilities of Child Representative.
Meanwhile, PSWDO said every Thursday of November will be NCM Radio Advocacy wherein the said month-long activities for the rights of children will be broadcasted via FB Live on Radyo Kapitolyo of the PGB through PPAO.
