Roxas City affords gifts for kids
ROXAS CITY – The Roxas City government was able to able to realize and give four gifts for their children.
The four gifts for children, namely Code for Children, Development Plan for Children, Investment Plan for Children and State of the Children’s Report, are part of the commitment of the Philippines to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
During the city’s State of the Children’s Address, Mayor Vicente Bermejo disclosed that the state of the children of Roxas City is now better based on their survival, development, protection and participation rights.
Bermejo believes that the local government must also lead in the promotion, protection and upholding the rights of children to that they would be better afforded their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.
He stressed that during his administration, children’s programs are comprehensively and holistically focused on different aspects of childhood development which resulted to the better current state of the children here as well as bright prospects for the children of the future.
Latest data shows that about 46.29 percent of the city’s total population is children which is composed of almost equal number of males and females.
Bermejo disclosed that the accreditation by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) of the City Health Office’s Maternal Care Package, Newborn Care, OPD, and DOTS-TB packages, expansion of birthing facilities, establishment of barangay health stations and health and nutrition posts that are equipped health personnel, have contributed much in the delivery of the city’s better health services.
In addition, he revealed that there is also an increase in the children’s school participation, cohort survival as well as completion rates both in elementary and high school.
The number of cases on juvenile delinquencies and child abuse were also noted to have significantly declined, Bermejo said.
On the other hand, Bermejo said that children are always given the opportunity to be heard especially on issues affecting the, the reason that they are always given a seat and representation in most special bodies and in government, social and cultural activities and operations.
Bermejo also challenged everybody to take responsibility in ensuring that all children are heard, given quality health services, and opportunities for their development and intellectual upliftment and progress as well as protection. (PIA/Jemin B. Guillermo)
