Baguio celebrates National Children Month

As part of the celebration of National Children Month (NCM), 120 youth including Supreme Student Council/Government (SSC/SSG) members and foster children, together with some parents participated in a summit done last Sunday, Nov. 16 at a local venue, with the theme: Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials; OSAEC – CSAEM Wakasan: Kaligtasan at Karapatan ng Bata, Ipaglaban!”

Spearheaded by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the activity was done in coordination with the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) with speakers Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Committee Chair on Women, Social Services and Urban Poor, Philippine National Police (PNP) Investigator/Forensic Examiner, Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) Police Executive Master Sergeant Genevieve Agacer Wance; Shaolin Bandoc and Crizaflor Mendizabal from the Child and Family Services Philippines, Inc. (CFSPI), Good News Academy (GNA) Principal Maribeth Lagasca and Irene Alcantara, Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Guidance Counselor.

Councilor Tabanda emphasized the importance of the internet for learning, but noted the harmful and damaging platforms which should not be available for minors. There are challenges but parents in coordination and partnership with the schools, the church, the Federation on the Council for the Protection of Children (FCPC), Barangay officials and the whole community should be empowered to protect the children from cybercrime, she said. Safe spaces should be created in the midst of technology and the internet, she further said.

PNP ACG Police Executive Master Sergeant Wance presented details on social media investigation, local and distal/foreign cybercrime and threats, entrapment, cyber warrant and patrolling, reporting and filing of complaints online. Personnel are available for reports of cybercrime 24/7, at cellphone number 0921-7176-879, she said.

GNA Principal Maribeth Lagasca urged the youth to be strengthened, as a strengthened generation builds a strong nation, and a blessing to the community. She elucidated on love languages as Physical Touch, Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Quality time, and Gift-giving. A book on Love Language was also given out, and presented in detail by Claire Henderson of Healing Hearts, Helping Hands Foundation.

CSFPI speakers Bandoc and Mendizabal presented self-affirming activities for the children, while Alcantara lectured on “Understanding Mental Health and Self-Care” with focus on feeling good about one’s self, with other people, and meeting life’s demands.

She also gave tips on self-care: physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, digital and school routine, and on staying healthy.

Help from trusted family, school and authorities are available when needed, she emphasized. The youth group also shared innovative and sustainable solutions for problems on pollution and environmental degradation which is frequent tree planting and care, adopt-a-tree project, composting, proper usage and disposal of water bottles, trash to art; while for bullying and cyberbullying, the presence of Junior Police and Peer Psychological first aid should be available, among other discussions.The recommendations were collated for thorough study and implementation. – Julie G Fianza