Valencia, Negros Oriental – The Municipal Nutrition Committee of this cleanest and greenest town of Negros Oriental in 2007 promotes the right of children to food and survival. This was highlighted during the recently concluded 29th National Children’s Month celebration.
The celebration was held in Barangay Sagbang and was participated by 30 children with the support of their mothers. Nurse Mrs. Teocelyn Abante spearheaded the activity with the assistance from the Nutritionist from National Nutrition Council assigned in Valencia, Negros Oriental, and the Barangay Sagbang Nutrition Committee members.
The commemoration which carried the theme “New Normal na Walang Iwanan: Karapatan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan” covered the issues on children’s rights to survival, development, protection, and participation rights which encompass children's freedom to express opinions and to have a say in matters affecting their own lives and be heard, in accordance with age and maturity of the child. The discussion also centered on breastfeeding and infant and young child’s feeding as the infant and young child’s right to food which is one of the survival rights of children.
November, is declared as National Children’s Month by virtue of Republic Act No. 10661, signed by the late President Benigno Aquino III in 2015. The declaration memorializes the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989. The Convention promotes and protects the Filipino children’s physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being.
With COVID-19 pandemic and any other disasters, every child shall be entitled to these rights regardless of race, color, sex, gender, language, and religion. Every child deserves a safe and nutritious food, a loving family for a brighter tomorrow. // ND II Niña Estela Lindsay Romero, RND
