DSWD chief cites children as drivers of dev't

• Source: https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1015445
• Wednesday, December 5, 2018

By Lucia F. Broño (PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY (PIA)—“Children are also drivers of development,” Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista said in a statement at the start of the 7th Pantawid Pamilya National Children’s Congress (NCC) held in the National Capital Region recently.

Bautista said through the conduct of NCC, children beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya are empowered to assert their right to voice their insights and experiences on what it takes to have a peaceful nation that can address their needs and protect them from different forms of abuse.

He added that as the lead agency that protects the rights and promotes the welfare of children, the Department works with other government agencies and policymakers toward achieving a ‘bayang mapagkalinga’ which Filipino children deserve

A total of 88 children beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program participated in the NCC which is part of the DSWD’s celebration of the National Children’s Month, in partnership with the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), with the theme “Bata, Magkaisa Tungo sa Bayang Mapagkalinga”.

The activity focused on the importance of making the country a nurturing and safe place where Filipino children can live and fulfill their dreams. It also informed the participants on the rights, roles, and responsibilities of a child.

NCC is a yearly gathering where provincial winners of the Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children nationwide discussed current issues that affect them and propose solutions to address them.

This year, the congress highlighted the Pantawid Pamilya children’s shared vision of a safe and nurturing society, how to achieve it through the help of the adults who surround them and the government that serves them, and how to influence other children to make this dream to fruition.

NCC uses the arts as development approach that employs singing, dancing, acting, visual arts, writing, and other activities that hone the participants’ creativity in expressing themselves, while instilling the value of leadership and volunteerism to help others and be part in the development of their own family and community. The children’s voices and hopes can be used as basis in reviewing the policies and procedures that can facilitate building a ‘bayang mapagkalinga’, through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.