Monday, August 27, 2007
SK head drafts children’s code
IF the Cebu City Council approves, a Children’s Code containing the concerns and policies that the children themselves crafted will guide the City Government in promoting the youth’s rights and welfare.
The Code seeks the strict implementation of all national and local laws that protect children from violence and abuse, and those that promote their rights to survival, development, protection and participation.
Specifically, the children asked for the passage of the Code so problems on child labor, child trafficking, loitering, drug addiction, smoking, gambling, prostitution, pre-marital sex, education, crimes and other issues affecting children could be addressed.
Councilor Glena Bontuyan, president of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, proposed the ordinance that will “further empower the children,” the Cebu City Children’s Code of 2007.
During their session last Wednesday, the council referred the measure to the committee on laws for further review.
The contents of the Code were based on the output of children from different sectors in the previous Children’s Summit.
“In observance of their right to participation, various children’s groups were consulted and they have expressed their views and opinions on issues affecting them,” Bontuyan said.
Develop
She sees a need to bring the voice of the children by empowering them to formulate a Children’s Code.
The Code, she said, will realize the vision of the Filipino Child as “healthy, happy, curious, confident, cooperative and able to develop his or her full potential and faculties.
Through the Children’s Code, the City is asked to formulate child-friendly survival, development, protection and participation programs including health care.
Protection
They also asked the City to provide technical skills training for out-of-school youth, support for programs for differently-abled children, put up safe and wholesome recreational facilities in the barangays and to protect children from illegal drugs, gambling and child labor.
Welfare
In the Code, the children also highlighted the roles and importance of the family, educational institutions, the business sector, mass media and the City Government in protecting their rights and promoting their welfare.
They encouraged the business sector to conduct their business in the city and at the same time support programs for the promotion of the welfare of children.
The schools are also encouraged to incorporate in the curriculum a subject on the rights and responsibilities of children, subject to guidelines set by the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education. (LCR)
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