DAVAO CITY — The Bangsamoro government center was in blue when it celebrated the World Children’s Day on Sunday November 20.
The Office of the Chief Minister’s facade was lit in blue in line with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) #GoBlueCampaign which symbolizes hope that stands for Bangsamoro people that “every child has a story to tell, regardless of their gender, race, status, and capabilities.”
During the celebration the Bangsamoro Government reaffirms its commitment to protecting children from violence and ensuring their right to live in a peaceful world as stated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
TO give meaning to the commemoration, the The MSSD and other BARMM ministries are conducting outreach programs to orphans, internally displaced children, and other vulnerable children in the region.
The event was in consonance with this year’s World Children’s Day theme—“Sigaw ng Kabataan: Walang Iwanan”.
Attorney Raissa Jajurie, Minister of Social Services and Development (MSSD) said the protection of Children’s rights “Is enshrined in our legal framework and policies” saying every child has the right to a meaningful childhood.
During the celebration, the social services ministry distributed loot bags which contained fruits and sweets, school supply kits, and fancy eyeglasses to the children who attended the event, while the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) handed them free candies and notebooks.
In his message, UNICEF Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov said, “regardless of age, gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or another status, every child deserves to be included and celebrated, as well as protected against all forms of discrimination. Children must have a say in decisions that affect them. Listening to their voices is crucial for inclusive development.”
Elsewhere in the world the Chilcren’s Day is commemorated as the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1989.
In the Philippines, the “Bangon Batang Bangsamoro” anchored to the children’s month celebration in the country that encapsulates and amplifies the efforts of the Bangsamoro Government’s interventions to address the rights of the child in development, protection, survival, and participation, with a special focus on children who bore the brunt of Typhoon Paeng.-with report from BIO
