CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago has highlighted the city government’s accomplishments and initiatives towards the promotion of children’s right to survival, right to development, right to protection, and the right to participation.
In his fourth State of the Children’s Report presented during the Children’s Congress held Tuesday at the Mini Convention Center, Heroes Hall, Santiago said “we should take into consideration our children not as the least priority but the most important of all.”
“Sinisiguro po natin na may mga serbisyo at mga pasilidad na magagamit ang mga bata, kaya’t patuloy nating dinedevelop ang ating mga imprastraktura, ginagawang ligtas ang ating mga daan at komunidad, at sinisiguro natin na maayos at mahusay ang mga serbisyong inilalaan natin para sa kanilang developmental needs,” said Santiago
The Local Development Plan and Investment Plan for Children was also presented. This embodies the identified issues involving children and the youth and the programs to better safeguard them.
Santiago furthered “Ang ating Local Council o LCPC ay patuloy din naman na naka-antabay sa bawat programang ating inilalaan. Hinihikayat din natin na maging mas aktibo ang ating mga Barangay Council for the Protection of Children o BCPC dahil naniniwala tayo na kailangan ng mas maigting na pagsubaybay sa ating mga kabataan sa ating grass root level.”
During the program, the Most Outstanding BCPC and Most Child Friendly Barangays were also named. Barangay Juliana headed by Captain Benito “Jun” Ong, Jr. outshined 34 other villages after bagging 1st place for both awards.
The runners up for the Most Outstanding BCPC award were Brgy. Sta. Lucia (2nd place) and Brgy. Del Rosario (3rd place). Other awardees as Most Child Friendly Barangays were Del Rosario (2ndplace) and Sindalan (3rd place).
Also highlight of the program is the first ever search for Child and Youth Ambassador. For the selection of winners, the 12 finalists had to deliver a short speech in front of the crowd and were also tested through question and answer portion.
“Siyam yung finalists para sa Child Ambassador tapos tatlo naman para sa Youth category. Ang pagpili sa mga finalists ay naganap nung leadership camp noong November 27 kung saan ang lahat ng mga Supreme Student Government ay nagkita-kita at sila mismo ang nag nominate ng mga gusto nilang maging ambassadors,” said Assistant City Social Welfare and Development Officer Aileen Villanueva in an interview.
Mary Mikhaella Louise David of San Fernando Elementary School was named as 2017’s Child Ambassadress while Emerson Mananquil of Pampanga High School was hailed as the Youth Ambassador.
“Sila yung mukha na pag-aalayan ng vision ng San Fernando at sila yung magiging tinig ng mga kapwa nila batang Fernandino. Sa kanila rin manggagaling ang ibang programa na kailangan ng mga kabataan ngayon,” Villanueva added.
The Children’s Congress culminates this year’s celebration of Children’s Month in the city.