The Department of Labor and Employment in partnership with the Provincial Government and Local Government Unit of Romblon and Odiongan successfully celebrated the 2019 National Children’s Month with a theme: “Karapatang Pambata: Patuloy na Pangalagaan at Gampanan Tungo sa Magandang Kinabukasan” in Odiongan and Romblon, Romblon.
The activity aims to provide awareness on the rights of a child and strengthen advocacy on child labor prevention and elimination program. This is to instill the importance of the role of the child within the Filipino family and to promote and protect the children’s rights.
One of the highlights of the celebration was the provision of educational supplies, umbrellas, and shirts to child laborers and children at risk of becoming child laborers.
A Welcome Address was delivered by the Provincial PESO Manager, Mr. Ronald M. Geronimo and Mr. Roderick F. Tamacay, DOLE Romblon Field Office Head gave his opening remarks by quoting the words of Dr. Jose Rizal that the Children are the hope of our future.
The newly appointed OIC- Regional Director of DOLE Mimaropa, Mr. Albert E. Gutib, graced the program with an Inspirational Message. Director Gutib shared that he was once a child laborer. He used to work in a sugarcane plantation in order to help his family.
He said that we are not celebrating child labor but instead a child labor prevention month. He uttered that the children should educate themselves well by going to school and learning a lot of things for them to have a better future. He encouraged the parents to support their children in achieving their dreams and to become what they hope for.
The Municipal Mayor of LGU Romblon, Atty. Gerard S. Montojo also gave an Inspirational Message. Mayor Montojo said that being a politician is not forever but having knowledge and good education will bring the children a better outlook of their future. He also reminded the parents that their children are their wealth, they may be poor financially but rich in having a family. He left them a message that he as the town’s father will guard their welfare together with the Department of Labor and Employment and other partner agencies.
Mr. Marvin Fonde, Principal of Amatong Elementary School expressed his gratitude to the Department of Labor and Employment for choosing Amatong ES as venue and recipient of DOLE Activity in celebration of Children’s Day in his Welcome Address.
Representative from LGU- Odiongan, Hon. Rolando C. Forca, Sangguniang Bayan Member rendered his Inspirational Message by giving emphasis on the four basic rights of children which are, right to survival, protection, development and participation.
Children’s happiness were very noticeable during the parlor games and storytelling.
The activity was participated by 62 children together with their parents. DepEd representatives also showed their support to the celebration by allowing the identified children to join and enjoy the activity.
