As Davao City prepares to celebrate National Children’s Month this November, young leaders from across the city are set to take center stage at the upcoming 32nd Citywide Children’s Congress, according to Gerlyn V. Arciaga, Officer-in-Charge of the Special Office for Children’s Concerns (SOCC).
In partnership with the Davao City Council for the Protection of Children (DCCPC), the SOCC will lead a month-long celebration focused on promoting child rights, welfare, and meaningful participation.
The festivities will officially launch on November 3 with a flag-raising ceremony, sabayang pagbigkas ng Panatang Makabata, and a motorcade joined by city government employees and council members.
One of the key highlights is the Children’s Congress, scheduled for November 20–21 at the Ritz Hotel, which will bring together 182 elected barangay child leaders and representatives from various child sectoral groups. Arciaga said the congress will serve as a platform for children to raise pressing issues affecting their communities—including access to education, child protection, mental health, and youth participation—and to propose solutions directly to city leaders.
“To discuss issues and concerns nila and at the same time mu-recommend sila ug programs nga maka address sa mga concerns nila,” Arciaga said during the ISpeak media forum on Thursday.
She added that participants will also engage with government agencies and organizations such as DepEd-Davao, OWWA-Davao City, DOLE 11, and various non-government partners.
“Nag-imbita kami ng government agencies, non-government organizations na puwede nilang mapangutana sa mga bata kung unsa ang puwedeng matabang or puwede nila ma-raise na issues and concerns and hopefully matabangan sila ani na mga ahensiya sama sa DepEd Davao, OWWA, DOLE 11, ug uban pang mga partners na mutambong sa congress,” Arciaga said.
The celebration will culminate with the State of the Children’s Address (SOCA) to be delivered by Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, who will present the city’s achievements, ongoing initiatives, and future plans for children’s welfare based on programs implemented from January to October 2025.
Arciaga emphasized the city’s commitment to amplifying the voices of Davao’s children, ensuring their perspectives help shape policies and programs for a safer, more inclusive, and child-friendly city.
