Daycare children, with their parents and child development workers from all districts in Davao City, gathered on Monday at Rizal Park for the “Bulilit Day”, which was held in line with Children’s Month.
City Social Welfare and Development Office – Early Childhood Care and Development (CSWDO-ECCD) Technical Staff Elena Gabaton, in an interview with the City Information Office, said that the activity was aimed at developing children’s self-esteem.
“This activity is exclusively for children (aged) 3-4 sa atong ECCD learners, ang atoang tumong ani is matagaan og opportunidad ang atong mga kabataan nga maka-apil sa atoang celebration, and of course mapalambo ang ilahang social, emotional, physical and mental domains (This activity is exclusive to those aged 3-4, our ECCD learners. The main goal of this activity is to give our children an opportunity to join our celebration and, of course, to develop their social, emotional, physical, and mental domains),” Gabaton said.
For this year, the daycare children faced off in the Neo-ethnic dance competition.
Gabaton said that the 15 CSWDO districts, including the far-flung districts of Paquibato and Marilog, held contests in their level. These contests were participated in by all barangay daycare, with the active support of the parents and child development workers.
Gabaton said that the ECCD Program in Davao City continues to deliver its mandate to ensure the education, care, and development of children.
Currently, the city has 697 child development workers. The ECCD is conducted either in daycare centers, home-based, or through parents.
“We also have parent teaching other parents, kung dili pwede muadto ang mga bata sa daycare center kay layo kayo magbaktas sila ang parents ang tudloan para sila mismo ang mutudlo sa ilang mga anak (We also have parent teaching other parents, this is done in case the children cannot go to the daycare center due to distance, the parents are taught, so that they will be the one to teach their children),” Gabaton said.
She said she was thankful to the child development workers, parents, and barangay councils for their support during the “Bulilit Day”. The activity will also be conducted yearly in line with the Children’s Day.
She reminded parents to always take care of their children.
“Amoa gyud sila nga gina encourage to always take care of their children always protect their children. Makita ang theme: “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines”. Gwapo unta nga ma inculcate nato (We always encourage them to always take care of their children, always protect their children. As shown in the theme: Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines”. It would be nice if we could inculcate it to them),” Gabaton said.
Davao City Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain, in his speech during the “Bulilit Day”, urged the parents to create memories with their children while they were young, ensure to make time for them, and to ensure their good education to build a good foundation as they grow old. CIO
