CITY OF MALOLOS — “Young people of Bulacan, continue to dream, study, make friends, and work hard in life because in the province of Bulacan every child is safe and has a smooth path to the fulfillment of your dreams.”
These were the words of Governor Daniel R. Fernando to the Bulakenyo youth in his State of the Children’s Address (SOCA) during the Provincial Children’s Congress held last November 16 at The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center here.
Fernando also highlighted the efforts of the Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB) in combating malnutrition and ensured that there are enough funds allotted for nutrition-related programs.
“Nabawasan po ang kaso ng malnutrisyon dahil sa maayos na implementasyon ng ating Bulacan Nutrition Action Plan, pero kinakailangan po nating mas ayusin pa ito at mai-align sa Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition o PPAN 2023-2028. Bukod dito, sinisiguro po nating may sapat na pondo ang ating mga nutrition programs at nabibigyang pagkilala ang mga outstanding nutrition program implementers sa mga bayan at lungsod sa Bulacan,” he said.
The governor also commended Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) Head Rowena J. Tiongson for being recognized as the Outstanding Provincial Nutrition Action Officer in the 2024 Gitnang Luzon Gawad Parangal sa Nutrisyon held recently.
Moreover, he announced the province’s second consecutive recognition in the Gawad Edukampyon for Local Governance Award (Province category) after being ranked first in the entire region for Early Childhood Care and Development Accreditation. Currently, Bulacan has 995 public learning centers, catering to 48,644 enrolled children in child development centers.
Fernando also pointed out that 477 out of 569 barangays in the province now have child representatives as part of the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC).
With this year’s theme “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines,” the National Children’s Month celebration in Bulacan consist of various activities, including competitions for children namely singing, copy and color, poem reciting, and Zumbalilit which coincided with the governor’s SOCA.
Winners in individual contests received P10,000 for first place, P8,000 for second place, P5,000 for third place, and a consolation prize of P2,000; Zumbalilit winners, the lone group contest in the roster, earned P20,000 for first place, P15,000 for second place, P10,000 for third place, and P5,000 as consolation.
Meanwhile, the province recorded a slight increase in cases of violence against children, where most of the victims are girls age 12 to 17. On the other hand, in terms of children in conflict with the law, the Tanglaw Pag-asa Youth Rehabilitation Center saw a decrease from 2022’s 98 to 64 last 2023.
“Sa pangkalahatan ay bumaba po ang mga kaso ng rape, theft at murder sa mga kabataan. Patunay na sa ating pagkakaisa ay natutulungan natin ang mga kabataan na mamuhay nang maayos at marangal,” Fernando added.
Also present in the event were Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro, Department of Interior and Local Government Provincial Director Myrvi Apostol-Fabia, SP Committee on Women and Family Chairperson Erlene Luz V. Dela Cruz, and PCPC Child Representative President Cassandra P. Eparwa. (UnliNews Online)
