PASIG CITY, Nov. 28 – Secretary Ismael ‘Mike’ D. Sueno of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) rallies all local chief executives to aim for conferment of the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance (SCFLG) being given by DILG in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The SCFLG is based on the results of the mandatory annual Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) being conducted by a composite team led by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and other agencies, including the DILG.
Sueno said local government units (LGUs) with SCFLG can also vie for the annual Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities (PACFMC).
“Children are at the heart of our motivation for good governance for they are after all the beneficiaries of peace and prosperity,”said Sueno.
The DILG Secretary reverberates this call on the occasion of the National Children’s Month Celebration this November.
“Taking care of children is a human resource investment in the present and for our future. It is a building-block to nation-building,” he said.
“Like President Duterte, I urge you to nurture your soft spot for children. Good childhood impacts on their values and outlook in life when they grow to be our next generation of Filipino leaders and citizenry,” he added.
This year’s theme for the National Children’s Month Celebration is “Isulong: Kalidad na edukasyon para sa lahat ng bata!” which is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) no. 4 to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all”.
In September 2015, countries worldwide including Philippines adopted the SDGs as a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all to be achieved over the next 15 years.
In a directive, Sueno told all local chief executives in the country, as chair of their respective Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPCs), to support and spearhead the Children’s Month Celebration in their jurisdictions by doing activities consistent with the theme such as participation in National Children’s Month Celebration activities, conduct of fora, symposia, seminar on education, faith-based activities, and talent contests for children.
“Education develops children and empowers them to reach their potentials. Quality and relevant education to girls and boys also decrease their risk of becoming victims of violence by knowing their rights and responsibilities as individuals,” Sueno said.
The 24th National Children’s Month Celebration is pursuant to Republic Act 10661, otherwise known as “National Children’s Act”. The declaration commemorates the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989 and seeks to instill its significance in the Filipino consciousness.
One Million Lapis
The DILG supported this year’s highlight activity for the National Children’s Month Celebration called, the “One Million Lapis” project, led by the CWC and the Department of Education (DepEd) together with business establishments.
It aimed to collect a million of pencils to be given to underprivileged students in elementary schools around the country who lack the opportunity to pursue schooling and necessary materials for writing. The campaign is envisioned to enter the Guinness World Record this year for the longest line of pencils. (DILG)
