Group pushes for kids’ welfare to next leader

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.
A youth group in Davao City urged presidential aspirants to include children’s welfare in their government programs once elected.
Nagkahi-usang Kabataan Aron Katungod Matagamtaman (NAKAMATA) convener Maribeth Cabbas said in yesterday’s I-Speak Media Forum, the group wants the next president to focus also on the need of their sector.
“The government should not only focus on giving education but also the implementation of children’s rights,” she said.
Cabbas said the incoming administration should promote the four basic rights of children such as survival, protection, participation and development.
She said all children need to survive by providing them the basic necessities of food, shelter, clothing and education.
For her part, NAKAMATA co-convener Princess Bai Guiana said their group has the Bata Muna (Children First) campaign urging not just the politicians but also the voters to chose their candidate who has a program for children’s welfare.
Guiana said the next government should ensure the safety of children wherever they go as part of their rights.
She said the government should involve children in such vital issues as peace process and their rights and participation in nation-building.
“The government should ensure our rights even if a child gets pregnant or violated any law,” she said.
Guiana said the authorities should build schools up to the remotest areas of the country so that all children will have access to free education.
Non-government organization (NGO) Tambayan Center youth leader Charlene Nadong said, their group came up with this call because they noticed that the previous and present administrations did not really address the problems of the children.
“Kung makita nato karon, daghan gihapon ang mga kabataan na naga-latagaw sa kadalanan (At present, there are still many children who are loitering aimlessly in communities),” she said.
For instance, Nadong said she has observed that there is an increasing number of children who are involved in prostitution.
There are children are exposed to abuse not just in the community and inside their homes.
Nadong said many children are involved in gangsterism because most of them are having domestic problems.
She said financial problem in the family is the most common reason that pushes children to join gangs and worse, prostitution and illegal drugs.