CADIZ CITY – “We are not only advocates of children’s rights, we are actors and implementors.”
Cadiz Mayor Salvador G. Escalante, Jr. stressed this in his State of the Children Address as he encouraged parents in taking part in community building by helping the government mold their children at home.
Escalante, during his SOCA delivered 28 November at the Cadiz City Arena, highlighted the local government’s programs for children including daily supplies for meals of children in the city’s day care centers, the creation of the Local Youth Development Council, Workshops, Trainings, and Skill Developments for the children and the youth.
“The Cadiznon is for children and the youth,” Escalante, said as he ended his SOCA with words of motivation to encourage the Cadiznons in building the City of Cadiz a safe, congenial, healthy, and active city to live in.
Escalante, in an interview with DNX, promised the youth that Cadiz will take part in their development and growth in becoming the hope of the city.
He also asked the parents to be good influencers to their children and to participate in the activities of the LGU of Cadiz.
The mayor also cited upcoming projects under the Child Welfare and Development such as producing localized and locally-made textbooks in order to establish local pride and identity to the youth of Cadiz.
He further persuaded other local government units to initiate, develop and sustain programs for the development and growth of the children in building a better city with a vision of hope and progress for the future of the country.
Other officials also affirmed the value of children especially in the respect of their rights as humans during the program.
Vice-Mayor Lilia Decolongon affirmed the need to respect the rights of child, as she believes that each child is the future of Cadiz.
“We recognize that children are the most valuable asset of our society,” Cadiz City Councilor Sheila Z. Tabanao said.
City Social Welfare and Development Officer, Winona J. Balagosa emphasized the recognition of the rights of the children and the tasks of the local government in making their dreams come true.
As part of the celebration, a new set of officers took their oath as part of the governing body of the Federation of Parents Committee, inducted by Escalante.
The city also received the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance, awarded by the Local Government Operations Officer of Region VI, Shalimar Jane D. Tabuena.
The program is part of the culminating activity of the National Children’s Month in the northern city.