Teachers honored for fighting child's rights

FOUR teachers from major disparity areas in Negros Oriental province, under the Sixth Country Program for Children (CPC-6), received awards for fighting children's rights.

Juliet Mercullo of East Balabag Elementary School in Valencia; Sheila Marie Estonilo of Salag Elementary School, Bacong; Amalia Samson of Sacsac Elementary School, Siaton; and Maribeth Ahito of Damig Elementary School, Bayawan City, received a certificate of appreciation and a bag filled with teacher's supplies.

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In a rite held at Plaza Ma. Luisa Suites Inn in Dumaguete City, the four awardees were honored by members of the CPC-6 Technical Working Group together with Department of Education Provincial Superintendent Maria Milagros Velez and Representative George Arnaiz (2nd district, Negros Oriental).

The teachers were recognized for their efforts and initiative in the promotion and advocacy of children's rights in their schools.

The awardees were evaluated based on several criteria with emphasis on their communication plan implementation and their efforts to reduce dropout rates in their schools.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Josefina Columna, who sits as chair of the CPC-6 Provincial Communication Task Force, said that teachers are at the frontline of CPC-6's campaign to promote children's rights in the villages.

"Teachers serve as our channels of communication, our bridge and our link to reach our shared goals," Columna said in her opening remarks during the awarding ceremony.

Columna added that the recognition will inspire other teachers to work harder and do more to promote and advance the interest of the children.

Arnaiz, on the other hand, echoed Columna's statement.

Arnaiz earned the moniker "Father of All Children in Negros Oriental" after successfully pushing for the expansion of CPC-6 projects to benefit more villages in towns and cities in the province when the Child Friendly Movement first rolled out under his stint as governor.

He said the province has been very fortunate to be included in both the fifth and sixth stages of the Country Program for Children.

"Seldom has a province been included in two programs," he said.

The congressman is confident that said programs helped children in the province to become what they are today.

"Now children know what rights they have and they are a lot better than what they were before," he said.

He also hoped that the program will continue to cascade and benefit more areas in Negros Oriental. (Victor L. Camion)