DIPOLOG CITY – A child protection conference was held here Friday in support of the 18th national awareness week for the prevention of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Sponsored by the provincial of Zamboanga del Norte in partnership with the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CPTCSA), the activity was attended by certain national government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), religious organizations, media and other civil groups.
Anchored on the theme “Proteksyon ng mga Bata, Tungkulin ng Bawat Isa,” the weeklong celebration sought to promote public involvement in making “our environment” safe, protective and caring for all children.
“Each of us has different roles, working distinctly in different ways, but if all of us are working [together], the results would be overwhelming,” said Mayor Evelyn Uy in her message to the participants.
Deputy Executive Director Ma. Elena S. Caraballo of CPTCSA also explained the importance of getting the stakeholders’ involvement in the protection of children against all forms of abuses and exploitation, saying “not all the time the adults are there to protect the children.”
Caraballo said the children should report any abuses [committed against them] to their parents, teachers, social workers or anybody whom they can trust.
In discussing the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act, Atty. Cristina Sevilla pointed out that “we should not [only] blame poverty for child abuse and exploitation as this is not just the sole reason [why this is happening]. There are other factors surrounding child abuse. This can happen when parents view their children as their property, or when community support [for the children’s welfare] is absent.”
CPTCSA Executive Director Zenaida S. Rosales, on the other hand, revealed that Mindanao is now the priority of international funding agencies. She, however, said “this is not about money but an opportunity and challenge to all LGUs and NGOs to do more in strengthening child protection and the promotion of their wellbeing.”
Moreover, Rosales emphasized that the action plan of all stakeholders should not be money driven but issue driven for money will come later.
“If one has concrete action plan, money is not a problem, there a lot of people [who] will come to help,” she said.
The NGAs participating in said conference were the Department of Education (DepED), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Municipal mayors Nilo Sy of Sindangan and Felixberto Bolando of Liloy also participated in the said conference.
Other participants were the Boy Scout of the Philippines (BSP), Girl Scout of the Philippines (GSP), Cordaid, Child Fund, Zamboanga del Norte Federation of Parents Association (ZNFEPA), World Vision, Children Values School and ZANEMA. (PIA9)
