In serving the best interests of children, we serve the best interests of all humanity
– Carol
Bellamy
REPUBLIC Act 10661 signed in 2015 by the late Philippine President Benigno Aquino 3rd made November the official National Children's Month in the Philippines, its origins being the UN World Children's Month. This 2015 Act encourages us Filipinos to know and understand the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) as well as to sustain the promotion and protection of the child's rights especially in this time of the coronavirus pandemic (https://nationaltoday.com/national-childrens-month/)The Philippines signed the UN CRC on Jan. 26, 1990, making it the 109th country to sign the Convention. The Philippine Senate ratified it on Aug. 21, 1990. The hereunder information drawn from the various websites and reports are only several of the celebrations of Philippine Children's month.
Philippine Children's Month. Several government organizations on children's welfare besides the DepEd are celebrating National Children's Month this whole of November. The DepEd is reported to have "officially kicked off the observance of this year's NCM on November 09." The celebration features "discussions on Understanding Learners' Self-Concept: Me, Myself and I; Bullying Prevention and Safeguarding of Learners and Children; Safe Spaces in the School Setting in the Context of Learners; and Child Participation and Youth Concerns in Child Protection." This month-long celebration will conclude with a culminating program on November 25, to be hosted by the Child Protection Unit (CPU) in partnership with the Public Affairs Service. DepEd informs us that the 2022 celebration of NCM shall focus on "Kalusugan, Kaisipan, at Kapakanan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan!" It will cover four categories of children's rights: 1st week – survival rights, 2nd week - development rights, 3rd week – participation rights, and 4th and final week – protection rights. (Manila Bulletin - https://mb.com.ph/2022/11/06/ deped-to-launch-anti-bullying-campaign-during-2022-natl-childrens-month-celebration/) According to the DepEd, "This program aims to recognize schools that deliver positive results for the learners' well-being." Based on the Child Protection Policy Implementation Checklist, an assessment of schools shall be carried out. This assessment focuses "on child's rights, health, protection and learners' participation."
National Children’s Month is celebrated every October here in the Philippines. Mandated by Presidential Proclamation 267, it is a time to recognize the value of Filipino Children as the most valuable assets in the society. Observed by Government and Non-Government agaencies around the Philippines, the month-long celebration is also a campaign to end violence against children and to promote their physical, emotional, moral, spiritual and intellectual well-being.
According to UNICEF,
every year millions of children around the world become victims of untold
violence. Children in every country, every culture and at every social level
face various forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence. The abuse
takes place at home, in school, in institutions, at work, in the community, in
armed conflict and natural disasters. Much violence against children, such as
corporal punishment and sexual abuse, remains legal and socially approved in
many countries. The violence children face takes many forms, such as
exploitation and abuse, trafficking, physical and humiliating punishment,
harmful traditional practices (including early marriage and genital
mutilation/cutting) and recruitment into armed forces and groups. Growing up
with violence and abuse seriously affects a child’s development, dignity, and
physical and psychological integrity.
Reference: https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/11/24/campus-press/part-3-the-philippine-childrens-month/1867598
