In celebration of the 32nd National Children’s Month, the City Government of Davao, through the Special Office for Children’s Concerns (SOCC), prepared monthlong activities anchored on the importance of children’s rights to survival, development, protection, and participation.
With the theme “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines,” the celebration kicked off with a motorcade and the opening of District 1 Serbisyo Caravan spearheaded by the SOCC and the Davao City Council for the Protection of Children (DCCPC) at the Rizal Park on November 4.
Another caravan will be held on November 6 in Buhangin Proper Gym, and in Mintal Gym on November 8.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) will also hold a “Neo-Ethnic Contest cum Bulilit Day” on November 5.
On November 7, the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) will be conducting a job fair for local and overseas employment in Barangay Marilog Proper.
The City Civil Registrar’s Office (CCRO) will also conduct a series of mobile registration caravans in Barangay Inayangan, Barangay Saloy, Daliaon Plantation, Magsaysay, Barangay Manambulan, Barangay Carmen, Barangay Buda, Barangay Malabog, and Barangay Baganihan.
A book parade for daycare children spearheaded by the City Library and Information Center (CLIC) will also take place during the monthlong celebration.
A storytelling contest is also scheduled on November 29.
SOCC and DCCPC members will also be guesting at the Usapang Pambata Program over the city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio every Tuesday to talk about the welfare and well-being of children as well as of the city’s programs and initiatives for children.
SOCC Head Consorcia Ronquillo said the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child will be discussed during the 31st city-wide children’s congress on November 25 to November 26.
The children’s congress will be held in the Grand Menseng Hotel, and will be participated in by the 11 sectoral children representatives along with the 182 barangay children representatives.
Mayor Sebastian Duterte, in a message read by Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr., said the celebration of Children’s Month is an important reminder to strengthen efforts in building a community that protects and empowers not only the children but also their families, caregivers, and guardians.
“Prioritize the safety and well-being of children, and protect them from any form of abuse, discrimination, and exploitation,” he said.
“Rest assured that we will continue to implement policies and programs that safeguard our children’s rights, ensure their welfare and well-being, and provide them with the capacity to grow into confident and resilient individuals,” Duterte added.
He also commended the SOCC, DCCPC, CSWDO, and other partner offices and agencies for their commitment to ensuring that every child in the city grows in a safe and secured environment.
The SOCC continues to strengthen its programs and campaigns against child abuse down to the barangay level to ensure that children’s rights are being upheld. CIO
