CEBU - Children from barangay Tisa yesterday proudly reported that the barangay listens to their concerns and actually considers their suggestions such as implementing stiffer rules regarding fraternities.
In yesterday’s 6th Annual Children’s Summit in barangay Tisa, Jennifer Bendulo told the participants that the youth sector in her barangay was able to urge the local officials to act on the most pressing problems affecting them.
Bendulo said the children’s sector was able to convince the barangay officials to close the Tisa Elementary School at night as many fraternities used to converge there. Likewise, barangay tanods are now consistently patrolling the areas where the groups usually gather.
The barangay has also reportedly strictly implemented the 10 p.m. curfew for children.
Aside from this, the barangay is now closely monitoring Internet cafés to ensure that minors do not go online or play computer games during class hours.
Tisa barangay captain Eduardo Cabulao said the barangay values the suggestions and participation of the children in addressing problems, especially since the barangay has already witnessed fraternity-related incidents in the past that claimed the lives of several children.
Cabulao said the Children’s Summit started in his term as part of the Gender and Development Program. During the summit, children participate in lectures on drug abuse and other forms of abuses like physical, psychological and sexual, which can be perpetrated on children.
Participants in yesterday’s summit came from the 64 sitios of Tisa.
Vice Mayor Michael Rama also dropped by the event at the Tisa High School Gym to sing for the children. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO (THE FREEMAN)