Cordillera Administrative Region– The Department of Social Welfare and Development here calls on the public to be more mindful in observing the rights of the children.
“Taking care and ensuring the welfare of every child is the responsibility of every member of our community. It is not just the parents or their relatives, but everyone who is around them”, OIC-DSWD-CAR Regional Director Janet P. Armas said.
This is further highlighted as this year’s theme for the Children’s Month celebration goes “Isulong: Tamang Pag-aaruga para sa Lahat ng Bata”.
“Our children have their rights that we need to observe. These include their right to be protected against abuse, danger, and violence and for them to have a family that would take care of them.”, Director Armas said.
Meanwhile, Director Armas also encouraged the use of positive disciplining and parenting.
Positive disciplining is one of the latest strategies in rearing children which aims to let the children understand the consequences of their actions. This is in contrast to the common practice that is related to classical conditioning which involves punishment of undesirable actions or behaviors.
Ms. Jocelyn Widwidan, Child Development Worker for 14 years shared that by using positive disciplining, children in development centers become more participative and active.
“Instead na ma-trauma sila kapag napapagalitan sila, mas maigi ang positive disciplining dahil mas na-momotivate ang mga bata na mag-cooperate. Masaya sila sa pagpasok sa center. Mas maganda ang effect ng praise and affirmation sa mga bata instead of pagagalitan mo sila”, Widwidan shared.
Aside from using positive disciplining, parents of the children undergo Parent Effectiveness Sessions during their regular meetings.
“Nakikita ng parents na kung papaano sila kumilos ay nakakaapekto sa kanilang mga anak. Nakaka-relate sila sa mga sitwasyon at ito ay nakatutulong para mas mainitindihan nila ang kanilang mga anak.” Widwidan added.
The DSWD, in partnership with the members of the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of the Children, looks into the implementation of the rights of the children. However, concerns involving children should be directed to the respective local social welfare and development offices in the local government units. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva
