Dabawenyo youth are stepping into leadership roles with confidence, proving that they are no longer silent but empowered advocates for their rights and safety as the city celebrates the 32nd Citywide Children’s Congress on November 20 to 21 at Ritz Hotel in Davao City.
The Children’s Congress brought together elected child delegates from Davao City’s 182 barangays, as well as sectoral child representatives, to further strengthen their participation in local governance.
Dennis Esoris, Technical Staff II of the Special Office for Children Concern (SOCC), emphasized that the event provided a platform for the youth to raise urgent issues and demonstrate that they are no longer passive participants but confident advocates for their rights and welfare.
“Ang mga bata, mga leaders, very confident na sila to raise issues and concerns that is very good thing nga atleast as stand as a leader sa ilahang community. Isip mga kabataan nga nag represent sa ilahang community mapaabot nila sa ahensya sa gobyerno, og sa amoa pod og sa kauban namo nga stakeholders og unsa tung mga issues nga urgent tubagon. Karon gipaningkamotan sa opisina og sa partner agency na matubag nga mga issues and concern and the city also continues its advocacy in promoting children’s right (The children, the leaders, are now very confident to raise issues and concerns. That is a very good thing to at least stand as a leader in their community. As children who represent their community, they can reach out to the government agency, as well as to us and our fellow stakeholders about the issues they need answers urgently. Now, the office and the partner agency are trying to answer the issues and concerns and the city also continues its advocacy in promoting children’s right),” he told Usapang Pambata: Special Office for Children’s Concern over Davao City Disaster Radio On November 25, 2025.
The event also highlighted the growing threats of online sexual abuse or child exploitation, as well as mental health awareness. The children also expressed their concerns, gave their recommendations, and participated in a meaningful discourse with various sectors.
Kyle Brenda P. Baliong, Davao City Community-Based Child Representative 2024 of Bernardo D. Carpio National High School, also during the Usapang Pambata: Special Office for Children’s Concern over Davao City Disaster Radio On November 25, 2025, reminded her peers to practice caution when navigating the internet as personal posts can expose them to hackers and online predators.
“It’s very nice that we make it known ang think before you click nga phrase because sa online, digitally may mga bata na mag post lang kung ano ano, like life nila or personal things na di natin alam that other people can use it lalo na po yung mga hackers. I just want to say think before you click. Yung pag pindot nila ng link online baka maabot sa laing websites yung mag lagay sila ng passwords and username kasi may gift check. Lalo na po karon na holiday season. Always think before you click (It’s very nice that we make the phase, “think before you click” known because online, digitally there are kids who just post anything, like their life or personal things that other people could use, especially hackers. I just want to say think before you click. Especially when they click on a link online, they might reach other websites and enter passwords and usernames because there is a gift cheque. Especially now that it’s the holiday season. So, always think before you click),” she said.
She also added that the city’s seminars and awareness campaigns are one of the effective tools in teaching the youth of the positive ways of using digital platforms, while also encouraging kindness and respect in online interactions.
Meanwhile, Abby A. Palarion, Academe Child Representative of Sirawan Elementary School, also said that the willingness to lead, being committed and passionate is what truly matters when it comes to leadership.
“Okay lang man maulaw, what it takes to be a leader is committed and passionate ka sa imohang ginabuhat. Kay if wala kay willingness na mu lead, what if mu ghost lang kag kalit tapos ikaw baya ang leader. I would say sa gusto na mag leaders pod is go for it kay the memories and experience magsundo lang gud anm saila saimoha, it can train you to grow and inspire others and if mahiya ka pa ngayon, its okay kay it can really mold you in the future (It’s okay to be shy. What it takes to be a leader is being committed and passionate about what you do. Because if you don’t have the willingness to lead, what if you just ghost and you are the leader. I would say that if you want to be a leader, you should go for it because the memories and experience will follow you, it can train you to grow and inspire others and if you are still shy now, it’s okay because it can really mold you in the future),” she said.
SOCC continues to strengthen its commitment to promoting and protecting children’s rights, working to eliminate exploitation and build a child-friendly local government. CIO
