LGU Manolo Fortich Launches 1st Municipal Children’s Congress

Four Child representatives per barangay joined the 1st Municipal Children’s Congress

The 1^st Manolo Fortich Children’s Congress took place at the Mangima Spring Resort and Bike Park last November 21-23, 2022 with a string of activities and workshops for the four child representatives per barangay who shall also serve as child leaders to their respective barangays.

Anchored with the theme, “Kalusugan, Kaisipan at Kapakanan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan!”, the activities and workshops made for the participants ages 10-17 years old were crafted by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office headed by MSWD Officer Maria Cecilia C. Sajonia to equip and instill societal and personal lessons that they can use as individuals and as members of the community.

In relation to this, the first day of the congress was graced by the presence of the Municipal Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño who shared his life experiences before he became mayor to the participants to inspire them through their own journey. The mayor has always been open about his life story to everyone, now he shares his story to the children of Manolo Fortich.

Moreover, the child representatives have undergone a Leadership Skills Workshop with the resource speaker Dr. Dixon Yasay and Disaster Preparedness and Simulation Activities during the first day of their workshop by Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Officer In-charge Ryan C. Ruiz. The message of the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children Regional Coordinator Beethoven S. Allena during the second day of the workshop has given more encouragement to the participants as they encounter more lessons from different resource speakers. One of them is Barangay Sto. Niño Barangay Nutrition Scholar Angelie Verde who discussed about how to fight malnutrition under Pabasa sa Nutrisyon Program. Public Employment and Service Office Staff Joanne Abella also educated the participants about Career Guidance and Career Coaching to give clearer direction to career path finding as early as possible. While MSWD Staff Jesse Tubigon explained and expounded all about Online Sexual Exploitation of Children to provide protection through proper awareness to this generation’s children who are directly exposed to online and social media platforms. Last topic during the second day is all about Teenage Pregnancy Awareness delivered by Rural Health Physician Dr. Louella Gamboa. She explained the risks of early pregnancy and the reasons behind its prevalence.

On the last day, MSWD Officer Mae Montano discussed the Roles and Responsibilities of Municipal and Barangay Child Representative before the process of election of the municipal child representatives. Before the election proper, the candidates’ undergone presentation where each qualified participants either accepted or declined the chance of being a candidate. After the declaration of their interests, the election took place. Blaise Jezreel V. Pianong was declared as Municipal Child Representative for the IP Sector, Charlo C. Laurilla sand Shemaiah Dawn B. Gadian as Municipal Child Representatives for the Academe Sector.

The 1st Municipal Children’s Congress in Manolo Fortich is held as part of the Children’s Month celebration which is commemorated every month of November to remember the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on November 20, 1989.