RSCWC holds first ever Child Perspective Workshop
The Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) facilitated the first ever Child Perspective Workshop participated in by 34 students from public and private high schools in the city and nearby towns, October 28-29 in Iloilo.
RSCWC Chair and Social Welfare Development Regional Director Teresita Rosales said that through the workshop the children's right to participate in aspects of development that affect their lives is promoted.
The participants were given the chance to interact with agencies of government that work on infrastructure projects, environment and those involved in media work, leadership and governance.
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) officer and RSCWC Chairperson Chris Montaño said the workshop is the first of a kind to be held in the Philippines where children were given the chance to discuss with planners, engineers, media practitioners and local leaders, what they want these sectors to do to serve their best interest.
Montaño said it is time for government and other organizations to ask themselves how much of their resources are really invested in children's welfare and development, what tools are being used to measure impacts and whether the point of view of children is considered.
Participants from the city asked Mr. Butch Peñalosa of the City Planning Office whether cleanliness and safety of plazas as well as usability of the flyovers and the overpass have been considered for the benefit of children.
Peñalosa said that these matters are all the while valued by planners but they also have to consider the benefit of the infrastructures, not only for one sector but for the majority of people that can benefit from them.
He admitted that the participation of the children sector in the planning activities of the city is very minimal.
The children showed through a drawing how they want the malls, the parks, over pass be located and how the traffic be managed so that they will have more space to play.
They also asked that plazas be well lighted and secured for them against those try to assault them as they pass in the evenings.
Public Works and Highways Architect Alberto Saclauso said much as they consider the best interest of the child, they still have to abide by zoning regulations and the ordinances of particular local government units.
The RSCW said the results of the workshops will be discussed with local officials and institutions so that these can be focused on in many planning activities done by LGUs and agencies.
Peñalosa batted for opinion surveys to be conducted by project proponents before any infrastructures be erected in a locality and children's opinions should be highly valued. (PIA 6/ESS)