KALINGA Governor Floydelia R. Diasen delivered her State of the Children's Report highlighting the culminating activity of the 17th Children's Month celebration in the province last Oct. 29.

In her report, Diasen underscored the local laws promulgated by the Provincial Government to ensure the protection of children.

These laws include Executive Order No. 29 which she signed in 2007 reconstituting the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children and the Local Development Plan for Children also known as the Kalinga Child 2025, which was approved on June 23, 2003 through Resolution 193.

The governor also pointed out significant statistics concerning maternal and child care as well as development and enhancement of facilities servicing the children sector.

Maternal and child situation she said has improved as manifested in the decrease in maternal and infant deaths where only six deaths were reported in 2008 compared to the 31 a year previous. Infant death rate has also decreased by 39 percent.

Nutritional status of children has also shown a significant change with the decrease of very low and low weight among 0-83 months old and improvement of the nutritional status among schoolchildren.

These developments she said were the result of the improved services being delivered by the government through the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program and the Integrated Maternal and Child Illnesses (Imci) program and other maternal and child care services of the local government.

The entry of ECCD she said has drastically improved the participation of stakeholders in Day Care Services.

Through the ECCD, 27 day care centers around the province were upgraded coupled with the provision of logistics and upgrading of skills for the day care workers.

"This is also the last year for ECCD implementation. Significant accomplishments include the completion of six DCCs with seven ongoing and the completion of 10 barangay health station (BHS) and one ongoing," she added.

Medical equipments and supplies were also provided while supplemental feeding and livelihood assistance were likewise provided to ensure sustainability of the program.

Through the concerted effort of various agencies and local government units in the province, Kalinga she said was recognized for rating the highest in Garantisadong Pambata in the region making the province a contender for a nationwide recognition.

Meanwhile, as a result of the Food for School Program of the Arroyo administration, education in the elementary grades has also improved as shown by the 80 percent participation rate of Grade 1 pupils in 2008 compared with only 60 percent in 2007.

In her message, Diasen expressed her gratitude for the support of parents in looking after the welfare of their children.

"Truly the future of our children lies in our hands, because I believe only when we care for our children today, then we can build a strong nation and bright future for all of us," she said underscoring the theme, Bright Child: Proteksyon ng Bata, Pananagutan ng Bansa. (Gigi Dumallig)