CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Children from day care centers in the eleven towns and two cities of Pampanga showcased their talents in the Provincial Children’s Congress recently held at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.
According to Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) Officer Elizabeth Baybayan, the activity was in line with the National Children’s Month which is being celebrated every November.
Baybayan said participants competed in Solo Singing Contest, Poem Reciting Competition, Drawing Competition and Calisthenics Competition which are anchored in the theme ‘Komunidad at Pamahalaan Magkaisa, Pang-aabuso sa Bata, Wakasan na!”
Ma. Rita Isabel Culala from the municipality of Sta Rita emerged as the winner in the solo singing competition; Shimrain Pinlac from Floridablanca in Poem Recital; Chelsea Serrano from Mexico in Copy and Color Competition and day care students from Sta. Rita in the Calisthenics Competition.
Baybayan said the provincial government headed by Gov. Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda has always been supportive of the welfare of the children and emphasized the ratification of the Provincial Children’s Code in 2011 leading to the creation of the Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention Network (CAPIN) and the establishment of the Child Protection Units in the 11 district and provincial hospitals to ensure the protection and right of the children.
Records from the PSWDO show that there are 29,028 estimated enrolled students in 652 child development centers (CDC) in the province.
Pampanga moved up to the 3rd rank in Central Luzon when it comes to the accreditation status of the child development workers (CDW) and CDC.
57% or 372 of the CDC and 59% or 383 CDW are accredited while the others are yet to be accredited.
The PSWDO is still waiting for the accreditation result of Candaba, Lubao, Sto. Tomas and Masantol. Apalit will have their accreditation schedule next year.
By Liezel Cayanan
