World Vision gears up for children’s assembly

THE World Vision-Philippines is slated to conduct its Child Health Now! Children’s Assembly in Estancia town, Iloilo this September.

Chris Estallo, Advocacy Specialist of World Vision-Philippines, said that the Child Health Now! Children’s Assembly is part of their nationwide project aimed to help the government reach its Millennium Development Goals.

Estallo said the event specifically aims to address two Millennium Development Goals, which are to reduce child mortality rates and improve maternal health.

The event will hold fora on child and maternal health, family planning and children’s rights.

Estallo hoped that some 500 youths, children, mothers and local officials in various Iloilo towns will be joining the event.

Henri Tolosa, media and communications specialist of World-Vision Philippines, said that Estancia is the second leg of their six pilot sites all over the country. The first leg was held last week in Bunuwan, Agusan Del Sur.

Tolosa said that World Vision–Philippines has slated several assemblies for Cebu, Misamis Occidental and Palawan.

Earlier, World-Vision conducted the Iloilo Barangay Children’s Association Leaders Consultation and Facilitation Workshop for Child Health Now! Children’s Assembly last August 29–30.

The two-day consultation and facilitation workshop was attended by some 35 youth leaders in Iloilo.

The workshop was aimed to encourage youths in taking an active part in community projects, especially on their health needs and concerns, said Ma. Joane Corbe, Child Health Now! coordinator. She added that it is in preparation for the Child Health Now! Children’s Assembly.

Joshua Alfred Dela Cruz, 15, Youth Council chairman of Barangay Sto. Niño Sur, Arevalo, one of the participants, said the workshop helped them identify the health problems of youth and children in their community.

The event was organized by the Rising Sun Association of Iloilo, Inc. (RSAI) and the local non-government organization partner of World Vision-Philippines in Iloilo. RSAI is also the event organizer of the Child Health Now! Children’s Assembly in the town of Estancia. (LM Carnaje)