Children’s Month focuses on getting rid of drugs

This year's Children's Month kicked off yesterday at the Plaza Independencia with focus on strengthening and implementing programs that would divert children from drugs.

The Cebu City Commission for the Welfare and Protection of Children (CCWPC) spearheads the activity to promote the safety and protection of children.

Trained youth leaders from the different Supreme Student Governments in the city as well as the youth from the National Government Office will help facilitate and organize the series of activities leading to the Children's Summit at the end of the month.

Yesterday's launching program started with a mass and the inflatable playground and contests for children highlighted the day's activities.

With the theme “Bata Ipalayo sa Droga,” the program encourages the youth to become heroes themselves by resisting peer pressure and get rid of drugs.

“Dapat ang mga bata motuo nga hero sila ug sila ang motabang nga molikay gyud sa droga. Sila mismo ang hero sa ilang kaugalingon,” said Jess Abellanosa, Executive Director of the Cebu City Local Youth Development Office.

The month-long activity also includes trainings for the 80 different barangays in the city to promote the Cebu City Children's Code, which was passed and approved in 2010.

The training also hopes to get insights and re-evaluate if amendments are needed for that law.

The Cebu City Government has allotted P500,000, while the barangays will also contribute to cover for the launching; weekend activities such as poster making contest, speech fests, barangay trainings; and the Children's Summit on November 28 to 29.

Organizations and departments such as the Cebu City Task Force, Cebu City Local Youth Development Office, and the Gender Department were also invited.

Redentor Betito, Executive Director for CCWPC, said there will be at least 3,000 children expected to participate from the different barangays in the city.