Since the establishment of the Republic Act No. 10661 (National Children’s Month Act) in 2015, numerous government agencies and NGOs nationwide have joined forces every November to promote their advocacies for the Filipino youth. This year is no different. The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the National Youth Commission (NYC) come together once more to spearhead 2018’s National Children’s Month programs. 

Themed as “Isulong: Tamang Pag-aaruga Para sa Lahat ng Bata”, this year’s festivities will center around informed child-raising. The Filipino youth are molded by both the environment and the interpersonal relationships that they have. As the nation’s most valued assets, they in turn have the capacity to shape the Philippine’s future. Being their biggest influencers, it’s important for a country to educate families on how to become positive guiding forces for the children.

Our national hero Jose Rizal once said, “Ang kabataan ay ang pag-asa ng bayan”. This month’s theme comes to life as it sheds light on the importance of the Filipino youth in society. 

With the emergence of child abuse over the years, people now acknowledge the effects of violence to a child’s development. This month’s programs are putting special focus on ending child abuse, particularly violence inflicted by the family itself. An international conference entitled “Ako Para sa Bata” (November 19 and 20) hopes to inform parents of the key strategies of the Philippine Plan of Action to End Violence Against Children (PPAEVAC). The seminar will instruct parents, guardians, caregivers, and teachers how to foster a safe and supportive environment for the children.

Programs such as the Conference on Digital Parenting (November 17) and the Positive Discipline in Daily Teaching School Caravan (November 27 and 29) will address the challenges of raising a child in the 21^st century. Parents and guardians must adapt to the changing needs of today’s generation while instilling the time-tested values of good manners.

This month aims to equip Filipino parents in providing their children with the most constructive childhood possible. Through their guidance, the youth would be prepared with the tools and skills to fulfill the hopes of our country. All of the organized programs and projects are geared towards one goal: to inform everyone that guiding and protecting our youth is both a moral and civic responsibility of every Filipino. 

Sources:
https://cwc.gov.ph/uploads/Advocacy/2018_National_Childrens_Month/2018_NCM_Briefer/2018_NCM_Briefer.pdf
https://cwc.gov.ph/uploads/Advocacy/2018_National_Childrens_Month/Calendar_of_Activitiesd/Calendar_of_Activities_2_1.png

Featured Photo: 
Mi Pham (Unsplash)