Protect the children, protect our future

QUEZON City, Philippines (October 12) – “The children are the hope of this nation.” These are the words of our national hero, Jose P. Rizal that reminds us of the importance of children in preserving a bright future for our country. For many years the government, together with UNICEF or The United Nations Children’s Fund protected the youth by establishing laws and proclaiming their rights. Sadly, there are still many people who neglect, abandon, and abuse them. Crimes against children are still prevalent nowadays despite many ordinances against it. In fact according to the Journal of Philippine Statistics, as of 2009-2010, a total of 11,273 cases of child abuse are reported. Among these data, “neglect” is the leading form of abuse.

Now let us review the children’s rights based on Presidential Decree no. 603, the “Child and Youth Welfare Code”:

1. Every child has the right to be born well and must be cared and raise well.
2. Every child has the right to live with a family who loves, cares and teaches good morals to him/her.
3. Every child has the right to have a proper care and importance from other people.
4. Every child has the right to have the basic needs of people such as food, water, shelter, clothing, and health care.
5. Every child has the right to have everything he/she needs for a better life.
6. Every child has the right to be educated.
7. Every child has the right to play and enjoy whenever they have the opportunity.
8. Every child has the right to be protected from abuse of adults.
9. Every child has the right to live peacefully away from bad influences.
10. Every child has the right to be cared whenever their parents are not available or cannot sustain their needs.
11. Every child has the right to be living in a good government who helps them strengthen their faith and to become a better citizen.
12. Every child has the right to grow up peacefully and getting what they want for the good of their lives.

Unfortunately, most of the items listed above have been violated one way or another. Millions of children suffer every day because of the carelessness and inhumane ways of people. Though the government took precautionary actions to stop this crime, there is still a big percentage of children who are unprotected and deprived of their rights. They are abandoned by their mothers, sexually abused, forced to work and do illegal jobs, and are often involved in smuggling and child trafficking. It is up to us to safeguard the future of this generation. By ensuring that their future will be better, we can count on them to help our society improve and become great leaders of this nation. Together, we can make this country a better place through them.

Sources: https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/4thQ2010.pdf

(written by Carissa Lazaro, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Lovely Ann Cruz)