Harapan between children and stakeholders set

November 24, 2022

Children from all barangays and sectors of the city are to relay their concerns to stakeholders during the Harapan portion, the final part of the culmination of the 29th Citywide Children’s Congress on November 25 at the Ritz Hotel.

Special Office of Children’s Concern (SOCC) Head Ms. Connie “Inday” Ronquillo, in an interview over the Davao City Disaster Radio, said that the Harapan is the most awaited highlight of the congress – wherein children representatives from 182 barangays and eight sectoral representatives will air their concerns and problems to the stakeholders.

“Kung unsa ang na-come up sa workshop sa mga kabataan i-raise na and tubagon sa atoang stakeholders (The output of the children from their workshop will be raised and will be answered by our stakeholders),” Ronquillo said, adding that the stakeholders mentioned are agencies, offices, Civil Service Organizations that are partners, and also Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

Ronquillo said that on the first day of the Congress, the issues of the children were divided based on their fundamental rights – survival rights, developmental rights, protection rights, and participation rights. After the workshop, the issues of the children shall be consolidated.

Apart from the workshop, there will also be sharing of updates to the 2021 Children’s Congress resolution, including the accomplishments of LGU stakeholders, CSO, NGOs based on the issues raised by the children.

Included among the possible issues to be taken up are the exploitation of children, gangsterism, stray dogs, garbage, and addiction to gadgets.

Ronquillo said that while some of the issues are not new anymore, they will not cease to face and give answers to the children on how it will be solved.

“Pabalik-balik naman gyud pero naay kanunay nga katubagan, kita ana government offices, wala pud ta nagpakawalang pagtagad nilang tanan (While some of the issues are recurring, we endeavor to always give our answers, we did not fail to give attention to them),” Ronquillo said.

The resolution, which will be the final output of the Congress, will be used in the crafting of programs for children. CIO