by Franklin p. Gumapon
The city government of Dipolog gave premium to the holistic development of children from conception to adolescence, focusing on their four principal rights to survival, protection, development and participation.
In her State of the Children Report (SOCR) last week, Mayor Evelyn T. Uy enumerated the things implemented by the city government as well as those pursued by partner-agencies and nongovernment organizations (NGOS) in the promotion of the rights and welfare of children.
Some 2,973 pregnant women in 2010 were given free pre-natal checkups at the City Health Office (CHO), and 86 percent of whom were immunized against tetanus. They also received Vitamin A and iron supplements to keep them and their unborn children healthy.
Expectant mothers were also taught proper breastfeeding, which is recommended to be given to the infant aged zero to six months old.
CHO records also showed that a total of 3,923 children aged zero to 59 months old have been fully immunized for the period, January 2010 to June 2011. Some 23,073 children aged zero to eight years old were also given supplemental immunization against measles rubella.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), on the other hand, reported that the number of underweight preschool children in the city went down to 1.84 percent from 3.1 percent in 2009.
GO-NGO partnership
To acquaint the mothers with the right, nutritious and affordable food for their children and families, the Department of Health (DOH) through its “Health PDI program” and the “Values School Program” of the Zamboanga del Norte Evangelical Ministerial Association (ZANEMA) have taught the mothers how to prepare affordable and nutritious family meals to prevent and control malnutrition among children.
The Nutrition Services Division (NSD) of the Office of the City Mayor (OCM) also helped in training the mothers on proper nutrition through “Mothers’ class” conducted by barangay health midwives and barangay nutrition scholars.
Child development program
Early childhood development program, which aims to build up the children’s social, physical, emotional, spiritual and mental capacities, has been provided by the city government through the CSWDO. Presently, 48 daycare centers are catering to preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years old all over the city. The kids are taught simple lessons in writing, reading and arithmetic in the daycare centers.
Reports from the CSWDO said the 48 daycare centers are now serving 2,670 kids who are also beneficiaries of the P5.2 million Healthy Start Feeding Program (HSFP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Support for out-of-school youth
Teenagers who quit formal school are given opportunities to make themselves productive. The city government’s Livelihood Skills Development and Enhancement Center (LSDEC) is providing skills training on short-term courses like building wiring installation, shielded metal arc welding, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, heavy equipment operation, bartending, household services, food processing, Christmas décor and novelty items making, sewing and quilting crafts. From 2010 until September of this year, LSDEC has already conducted a total of 13 trainings which benefited 681 graduates. These graduates succeeded in landing jobs through the help of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Scholarship program for poor students
Poor but bright students are getting assistance from the city government to pursue their studies. The Alay Lakad Council of Dipolog chaired by the city mayor has been able to send 50 scholars who are presently enrolled in either baccalaureate or vocational-technical courses in the colleges and university in the city.
Some of the previous batches Alay Lakad scholars finished their studies with honors and are now gainfully employed in big cities.
Other NGOs supporting children
One active NGO-partner of the city government is the Center for Social Concerns and Development (CESCOD) under auspices of Monsignor Enrico Montano. CESCOD caters to children aged 15 to 18 years old, preparing them to become active citizens by giving them personality development sessions to cover topics on leadership skills, values formation, self-discovery and others.
This NGO also extends scholarship grants to some 30 scholars who are now enrolled in baccalaureate and vocational courses in the local colleges.
It also organizes tutorial sessions for preschool children on mathematics, language and reading, ports development, cultural activities as well as advocacy programs on children’s rights, waste management, anti-drug campaign, and anti-gambling/vices drive.
Another NGO advocating for children’s welfare is the Zamboanga del Norte Federation of Parents’ Associations (ZNFEPA) of the ChildFund-Philippines. It is giving direct assistance through school supplies to 725 elementary and secondary students and educational support to some 65 college students.
Children’s welfare code
To ensure sustainability of the programs pursued by the city government for the development and protection of children, the city’s legislative branch has enacted City Ordinance No. 10-220, establishing the Dipolog City Children’s Welfare Code in conformity with section 13 of article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This children’s code alongside with the Dipolog City Development Investment Plan for Children will serve as a rudder to guide and steer the city government to the right direction of protecting and empowering the children.
City children center
A temporary residential facility has been set up to cater to the needs of street children, children in conflict with the law (CICL) and vagrant/mendicant children. The city government purposely established such a facility to protect these children from getting abused, exploited and/or used by unscrupulous individuals and groups.
In 2010, 341 children aged seven to 15 years old were admitted to the Dipolog City Children Center. One hundred fourteen of them were brought to the center for curfew violation, 82 CICL, 72 for vagrancy, 47 for mendicancy, 15 for rugby sniffing, six runaways, and five physically abused children.
Task force against child labor
A task force against child labor composed of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), DSWD and other government and non-government organizations has been active in conducting surveillance and monitoring activities among entertainment houses and establishments in the city to prevent them from taking on minors as workers.
Children with special needs
The city government is also looking after the welfare of the special children. Pupils at the Special Education Center (SPED) have been exposed to learning sessions that would contribute to their wellbeing. Mayor Evely Uy believes the special children can be made productive if they are given a chance to develop their individual talents and skills.
The city government is leaving no stone unturned in working for the protection and welfare of children. (FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)