Calendar of activities for Children’s Month bared
The 30th National Children’s Month (NCM) celebration in the city is a coordinated effort of the local government of Baguio, the academe, sports enthusiasts, health authorities and environmentalists, the church and even socio-civic organizations, the whole community. This is evident in the various activities done even before the celebration of Childrens’ Month started in November.
Last Oct. 21, orientation of the barangay council for the protection of children and anti-bullying, illegal drugs and anti-trafficking lecture were conducted by the Sto. Tomas Proper and Bakakeng Norte barangays respectively.
On Oct. 28, Bakakeng Norte barangay conducted a children got talent program, while DPS compound organized a Trick-or-Treat activity for children on Oct. 29, with the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) Station 1 distributing sorbetes and free bottled water on All Saints’ day.
On Nov. 2, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) unit 2, launched Gulayang Bulilit for the children of Loakan Apugan brgy.
As active partners in the protection of children, the Department of Education (Dep-Ed) and BCPO station 6 visited and conducted lectures as to childrens’ safety in schools within Aurora Hill, on Nov. 1 to 6.
For childrens’ health and welfare, Committee Chair on Health and Sanitation, Ecology and Environmental Protection Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda together with the Health Services Office (HSO) and CSWDO had a public consultation on the proposed ordinance mandating only fully immunized children to be admitted to the Child Development Centers in the city, last Nov. 4. The concerns of the parents were heard and incorporated in the ordinance’ provisions.
Lectures on Anti-bullying, Child Abuse and Sexual Exploitation were also done at Camp 8 brgy in coordination with BCPO station 8, Pinsao Pilot and Fort del Pilar barangays; while a sportsfest for children was conducted at Green water barangay, last Nov. 5-6.
Atok trail barangay had an eco-walk, and a Parenting Effective Services activity provided by the CSWDO unit 1, both on Nov. 10; with a libreng gupit (free haircut) at the Aguinaldo Elem. School by the BCPO station 5; and a draw and tell competition at Atok trail, both on Nov. 11.
On Nov. 12, a Saturday, children are given free horseback riding at Wright Park, through the Lualhati barangay council for the protection of children (BCPC); Lucnab barangay with BCPO station 4 conducts a feeding program and distribute used clothes, toys and story books; Gibraltar BCPC celebrates children’s day; and Irisan barangay has Talent and sports for children at the Elpidio Quirino Elementary School covered court. On the same date, the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center-Women and Children Protection Unit (BGHMC-WCPU) conducts an advocacy on child protection.
The Immaculate Conception Parish, the BCPO station 6 and life coaches come together for a mass/bible study with the children-church attendees on November 13 while on Nov. 15, Lualhati barangay conducts a lecture on personal hygiene and the importance of the Universal Health Care (UHC) at their covered court.
BCPO station 6, Dep-Ed, CSWD unit 6 and the federation of barangay council for the protection of children has play time/feeding program and seminar on online sexual and exploitation of children, at the ABCAH hall, North Central Aurora Hill. Several barangays are invited to the event, on Nov. 14 to 18.
On Nov. 16 to 19, a Child Protection Forum and Children’s summit shall be conducted by the CSWDO with an audience and venue to be arranged, with a lecture on Drug Abuse prevention at the Irisan Multi-purpose hall on Nov.19.
Councilor Leandro Yangot’s office spearheads a painting competition, to be launched on Nov. 20 at the Camp John Hay Manor grounds.
Anti-bullying, illegal drugs and anti-trafficking lecture are among the activities of the BCPC of Bakakeng Norte; while a bubble painting sponsored by the Rotary Club of Baguio at SM, and orientation of BCPC Sto. Tomas proper barangay is done on Nov. 21.
The Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) has also scheduled a Children Got Talent event, the date and details to be out later.
BCPO station 2 spearheads a children’s summit on Nov. 26 at Lourdes Extension Subdivision, while an extended activity: advocacy on child protection is conducted by the BGHMC-WCPU.
Other scheduled activities are, lectures, youth team building by Sta. Scholastica brgy, feeding program at Happy Hallow ES, IEC on illegal drugs at Scout Barrio brgy, Pabasa at Loakan ES and Funrun at Loakan proper.
According to Social Worker Ellen Dayag, other activities may still be scheduled.
The theme for the 30th National Children’s month is “Kalusugan, kaisipan at Kapakanan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan.” – JGF
