MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sets a vision of a child-friendly Philippines for the next 25 years to keep the country compliant with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
“The Philippines has achieved much in giving life to the principles of UNCRC over the past 25 years but much still remains to be done,” Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said in a speech during the 25th anniversary of UNCRC in the Philippines at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City Thursday night.
She said the efforts would be intensified as the DSWD sets a new vision of a child-friendly Philippines for the next 25 years.
“By 2039, we would like to see our country as being among the most child-friendly countries in the world. This means that in the next quarter century, we will work to make our nation a more caring community where children do not experience discrimination, but the warmth of a community so willing to embrace and protect them,” Soliman said.
Since the Philippines became a signatory of the UNCRC 25 years ago, the situation of Filipino children has improved as the country has fulfilled its obligations to the UNCRC. This was the joint assessment of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the DSWD, and the Council on the Welfare of Children (CWC).
According to UNICEF, there has been “good progress” in the fulfillment of children’s rights in the country, such as reducing preventable child deaths.
But Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF Philippines representative, noted that there should be a focus on the “unfulfilled promises” made as a UNCRC signatory.
“The Philippines made a set of promises to children when it adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. While many Filipino children are growing up happy and healthy, looking back on 25 years of progress reminds us of the promises that remain unfulfilled,” she said.
Sylwander cited the lack of attention being given to children in emergencies, especially in view of the Philippines being struck by natural disasters every year.
“What has not been given much attention are children in emergencies… They are the silent victims and they don’t know how to protect themselves,” she said.
“I think what we need to say as adults is that we need to help them be more informed, be more prepared so they can better help themselves, help their families next time it (natural disaster) happens,” she added.
‘Child rights violations persist’
Bata Muna, a nationwide movement aimed at advancing children’s meaningful participation in governance, also cited reports showing that child rights violations continue to persist in the Philippines despite achievements in the implementation of UNCRC.
Bata Muna called on President Aquino to prevent retrogressions in the realization of children’s rights and urged him to step up actions to ensure that policies needed are put in place before his term ends.
In particular, Bata Muna urged the Aquino administration to uphold the rights of children against corporal punishment and protect the representation of 43 million Filipino children in local governance.
Bata Muna called on Congress to prioritize the passage of House Bill 4907, which promotes positive and non-violent discipline of children.
The proposed legislation is now up for floor deliberations in the House of Representatives but its Senate counterpart has not moved since the 15th Congress.
The prohibition by law of all forms of corporal punishment in the home, schools, alternative childcare and places of work is one of the recommendations provided by UN experts to the Philippine government in 2009.
“Children all over the world have identified corporal punishment as a major issue, and expressed that corporal punishment hurts them and that they will learn better if they are disciplined without the use of violence,” said Bata Muna spokesperson Dennis Velasco. – With Rhodina Villanueva, Eva Visperas