Valenzuela holds National Children’s Month kick-off

The city government of Valenzuela, together with the Council for the Welfare of Children, Department of Health and UNICEF Philippines held on 6 November the "Pista ng mga Bata! The National Children's Month Kick-off Ceremony" at the Valenzuela City People's Park Amphitheater.

Themed "Healthy, Nourished, Sheltered: Ensuring the Right to Life For All", the event saw a big parade of children wearing adorable vegetable and fruit costumes, as well as children representatives from Valenzuela Young Heroes, Bahay Pag-asa and Bahay Kalinga, Pag-asa Youth Association, Muslim children and children with disabilities, among others, joining the festivities.

Mayor Wes Gatchalian presented the city government's efforts for Valenzuelano children, especially the Enhanced Citywide Feeding Program that benefited 4,000 wasted and severely wasted children in the recent school year.

In his remarks, Council for the Welfare of Children Executive Director Undersecretary Angelo Tapales underscored that the event was not just a gathering but "a strong call to action. We are called to unite to reaffirm our commitment to spur change."

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire was also on hand to present a report on children's situation in the country in terms of health and nutrition, along with the promise to support all programs for children in the coming months and years.

Gatchalian announced that, as part of the city's commitment to fight malnutrition among children, the city recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a bigger and better Central Kitchen that will advance the community movement the city had started almost a decade ago.

To formally launch the jampacked children's month celebration, child advocates raised their magic wand and cheered "Para sa Bata!" while various booths focused on the four core rights of children, as well as a cooking show, were prepared for kids and parents to enjoy and learn from.

Also gracing the event were Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, DILG-Valenzuela Director Sudi Valencia, Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Noel Bagano, UNICEF Philippines nutrition manager Alice Nkoroi, DSWD Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, Chief of City Social Welfare Operations Dorothy Evangelista, members of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children and other child advocates from the city.