DSWD PROMOTES NATIONAL CHILDREN'S MONTH 2014
BY: Teddy Cho and Michael Agawin

                                  National Children's Month 2014

The Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through  its attached agency, the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) will lead the celebration of the 22nd National Children's Month this October. For this year, the event carries the theme,  "Bata Kasali Ka, Ikaw Ay Mahalaga", to promote children's participation in nation building. 

        Balitaan Sa Hotel Rembrandt hosted by Broadcaster and Media Practitioner Erick San Juan (Original Photo by: Itami Mcfie)

The month long celebration has kicked off recently at the Quirino Grandstand with an Awareness Walk on Chidren's Right. This was participated by children on various schools in the NCR and representative from government and non-government agencies, civil society and people's organizations held simultaneously in all 17 regions. Children's participation is one of the rights of children stipulated in Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Based on the CRC the children have the right to participate in the decision making processes that maybe relevant in their lives and to influence decisions taken in their regard - within the family, school or the community.

          UNICEF spearheads the training of  Filipino children through storytelling

One of the highlights of the celebration is the National Children's Congress on Oct. 22 - 26, 2014 which aim to bring out their voices on issues that directly affects them. Through the congress, the children-participants will identify the various emerging challenges that they experienced and will present this to concern government officials for appropriate solutions.