PSCWC tackles programs for children anew

PSCWC tackles programs for children anew

Governor Carlos M. Padilla facilitated discussions on various programs for children among members of the Provincial Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (PSCWC), which he chairs, during their meeting held on June 27, 2022 at the Conference Hall, Executive Bldg., Provincial Capitol.

Specifically, they delved into the accomplishments of concerned offices of the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya (PGNV) and their partners vis-a-vis the set targets in regard to the implementation of programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) of member-offices and institutions concerning: Survival, Protection, Development, and Participation of Children; and their respective Institutional Mechanisms and Other Innovative Projects.

The body approved the 3-year Plan for Children (i.e., CY2023-CY2025) presented by PSWD Officer Flordelina C. Granada.

Ms. Nesta Gianni Camua-Ty, LGOO-IV of the DILG Nueva Vizcaya Office, also updated the members about the results of their agency’s Assessment of the Functionality of Local Councils for the Protection of Children, and Child-friendly Local Governance Audit.

They then proceeded to discuss the proposed Executive Order Reorganizing the Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (presently, PSCWC) and the proposed amendments to the Nueva Vizcaya Children’s Code for appropriate action of the Governor and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), respectively.

Also in attendance were three (3) SP members, namely, Floor Leader Patricio F. Dumlao, Jr., BM Elma P. Lejao, and BM Eunice G. Gambol.

BM Dumlao raised his concern with the children in the municipalities of Kayapa and Ambaguio in view of the findings that they both landed in the Top 20 LGUs of Region 02 in terms of Prevalence of Stunting Among 0-59 Months Pre-school Children, i.e., 7th (19.96%) and 19th (12.84%), respectively.

According to Provincial Nutrition Officer Luzviminda P. Ragpa, based on recent studies, Malnutrition is considered the most popular cause of stunted growth in children worldwide. She said that poor nutrition during pregnancy, and inadequate breast milk supply, or improper milk formula mixing in infants can negatively impact their overall growth and development. “More than Genetics, it is generally caused by the children’s environment, family health practices, and food intake. Experts attribute it to the beliefs and practices among parents, especially, those in the countryside/upland areas where mothers have lesser time at home as they are also engaged in farm work, to the disadvantage of their infants.”, she added.

BM Dumlao felt the need for government intervention in the precarious situation of the children in the said municipalities, citing Section 2 of R.A. No. 7610, otherwise known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act”, which declares as a policy of the State the “provision of special protection to children from all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, discrimination, and other conditions prejudicial to their development”, among others.