Photo courtesy of BYC Maguindanao, Cotabato City and Special Geographic Areas
COTABATO CITY (November 8, 2023)—In celebration of National Children’s Month, the Bangsamoro Government, through the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), has rolled out a range of programs and services for Bangsamoro children.
On November 6, the MSSD led the ceremonial opening of the month-long celebration with participation from various Bangsamoro Government ministries, offices, and agencies. During the kickoff event, MSSD Minister Atty. Raissa Jajurie unveiled a series of upcoming activities for the region’s children.
On the same day, indigent elementary students in Cotabato City received financial assistance of P2,000 each through the MSSD’s “Angat Bangsamoro: Kabataan tungo sa Karunungan” (ABaKa) program, benefiting a total of 553 students.
On Tuesday, November 7, a ceremony in Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte saw the distribution of birth certificates to hundreds of children. It formed part of the project of MSSD and Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) in collaboration with UNICEF and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) titled “Ending Childhood Statelessness through Strengthened Child Protection System and Improved Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Services” to combat childhood statelessness.
The project sets out to bolster government systems, placing a particular emphasis on fortifying civil registration. The ultimate objective is to establish a resilient, sustainable, and scalable system that ensures the eradication of childhood statelessness.
The series of outreach activities will continue in Tawi-Tawi, Basilan Sulu Lanao del Sur, and Special Geographic Areas in the upcoming weeks.
National Children’s Month is an annual event in the Philippines, celebrated every November under Republic Act No. 10661. The month-long celebration is dedicated to providing Filipino children with access to a healthy environment, quality education, and healthcare.
This year, the BARMM’s National Children’s Month celebration carries the theme “Isulong Kalinga, Kalusugan, at karapatan ng Batang Bangsamoro” (Advancing Care, Health, and Rights for Bangsamoro Children). (BYC PR Unit/KAA)
