𝐆𝐨𝐯 𝐆𝐨𝐧𝐳𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝-𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐝𝐎

As the 31st National Children's Month culminated, Governor Dorothy P. Montejo-Gonzaga reported the current situation of the children in terms of the successful implementations of the programs, projects, and initiatives for children this year during her State of Children's Address (SOCA) 2023.

The address took place at the Provincial Capitol Lobby on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, emphasizing support for children of all sectors, thereby sustaining a safe and child-friendly province.

"More than a year now as your Governor, anchored on the government works thrust, the implementation of our child-friendly and youth-centered programs and activities had been realized even with limitations on the budget and resources," Governor Gonzaga said.

She highlighted in her report the collective efforts of the provincial government, national government agencies, and others that addressed the four core rights of children: the right to survival; development; protection; and participation, stressing the various aspects of children's well-being, including access to quality healthcare, education, age-appropriate nutrition, a safe place to live, shelter from all types of violence, and the intensification of the provincial ordinances that protected their rights.

"I believe that the rights of the child must be realized and fulfilled in order to achieve their full potential and development. More so, our children are future human capital of the province, thus we should invest on them" Governor Gonzaga added.

Meanwhile, some in-school & out-of-school children, IP/Muslim children, Children with disabilities, Children at Risk, Victim-survivor children, and other disadvantaged young people joined the governor as they presented their Congress Statement created during the 2023 Children Congress, providing solutions and recommendations to the identified issues and concerns they experienced in the home, school, and community.

From providing rightfully deserved services and having their voices heard, the governor underscored the importance of their existence in shaping communities. Through all of these efforts, Davao de Oro was recognized by DILG XI in May 2023 as IDEAL of the 2022 PCPC Functionality Assessment, garnering the highest score (90.74%) level of functionality among the 6 provinces and 1 HUCC in the entire region.

In addition, she unveiled the following initiatives for next year: (a) strengthen advocacy for facility-based delivery and exclusive breastfeeding of infants; (b) improve the delivery of health, nutrition services; (c) address and further lower the prevalence of malnutrition among children 0-59 mos old; (d) establishment of the Child Protection Unit in the Hospital; (e) increase the number of scholarship beneficiaries or educational grantees; (f) improvement of the residential care facilities (Bahay Pag-asa & Bahay Pangarap); and (g) intensify information dissemination on the different laws/ordinances on children.

She ended her report by saying that "if we will be united and pool all together our commitments, efforts, resources we can do so much for our children. They are our future, our next generation – our venture, our investment will never be in vain if we are one in this journey to make this province a safe and child-friendly community."

Further, the event drew a diverse audience, including BM Ruwina Gonzaga, BM Marie Jude Fuentes-Lopoz, BM Vivencia Secuya, PG & Assistant PG Heads, the members of the Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC), Municipal CPC, stakeholders, parents, duty bearers, media partners, and public servants, showing their full commitment as they recited the Panatang Makabata led by Acting Provincial Administrator Lewis Jake Caiman.

The SOCA featured the province's persistent endeavors to establish a nurturing environment, empowering the next generation to flourish and make positive contributions to society. It is anticipated that the governor's speech will initiate ongoing discussions and collaborations among stakeholders, all united in the common objective of ensuring that every child in the province has the opportunity to realize their full potential. (Jaynus Fernandez, Photos by Albert Dayao)

Our children’s Mother Earth

By Panay News -Thursday, July 14, 2022

BY KLAUS DÖRING

MOTHER Nature (sometimes known as Mother Earth or the Earth Mother) is a personification of nature that focuses on the life-giving and nurturing aspects of nature by embodying it, in the form of the mother.

The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet – and its people. Restoring our damaged ecosystems will help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent mass extinction

Yes, it’s again the topic we should really think about. Also here in the Philippines. Ok, here’s a new string of examples, my dear readers. But, don’t expect good news.

Greenland, the great island is being called the Land of Ice being on fire. Why? A recent report says the Arctic may be ice-free by 2040. The Antarctic is also melting, albeit far slower, and in a less regular pattern.

The Arctic is melting much faster than expected, and could even be ice-free in summer by the late 2030’s, a report from the Arctic Council’s Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program suggests. Previous studies had forecast an ice-free North Pole in summer by mid-century. Wow.

While the outlook is bleak for the Arctic, there is a silver lining for the Antarctic: As I said before, the ice is melting at a slower rate than previously thought. Although glacier flow has increased since the 1990’s, scientists from University of Leeds have found the melting rate to be only around a third of what was previously projected.

Operation IceBridge studies the processes that link the polar regions with the Earth’s climate system. Rapidly changing polar ice means researchers need to use highly sophisticated airborne technology to measure annual changes in thickness and movement – onboard a retrofitted 1966 Lockheed P-3 aircraft.

 But the Antarctic is still melting. And a rapidly advancing crack in its fourth-largest ice shelf could soon see one of the largest icebergs ever recorded in human history break off into the sea.Scientists agree that global warming causes both the ice in the North and the South Pole to melt. Air temperatures are climbing, and so are water temperatures. This makes the ice melt faster. The period of winter where the water is actually cold enough to freeze is getting shorter, which means ice floes are getting smaller.

Honestly folks, it really scares me although experts say it is too early to draw firm conclusions linking the fire to climate change because no long-term data is available to put the blaze in context. However, unusually warm and dry conditions this year could have been a factor.

Let’s face this: “It’s unprecedented in the short 18-year observational record,” Jason Box, a climate scientist at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, said in an interview with German TV yesterday. . “We also know that temperatures in Greenland are probably higher [than they have been over] the last 800 years.” Wow again!

Although the origin of the blaze is unclear – with lightning and a stray cigarette as possible suspects – what is clear is how it has been spreading across remote areas of grassland and low shrub. Greenland is indeed getting greener and greener. It conjures images of white, frozen expanses. But Box says global warming means it’s getting greener all the time. “There’s a shorter snow-cover season, and that allows the plant life to expand,” he explained.

The Arctic is heating up around twice as fast as the global average. At the same time, rainfall around the world is also increasing – and that trend as well is more present in the Arctic. “More rain is a widespread symptom of climate change,” Box said. “You get more precipitation – and where you get the biggest increase is in the Arctic.”

For Greenland, warmer, wetter conditions mean more vegetation – which, seemingly paradoxically, could be a factor for the fire. And my next question is: what will be the impact of these fires on the ice sheet and surrounding areas?

Fact is: Greenland’s ice sheets melt, which contributes to sea level rise. And if we add the North- and South Pole and their vanishing ice and snow and all other oceans worldwide?  Yes, also the Philippines are in danger. Not this year or next year. But … !

More than 3,000 children from Davao de Oro avail mobile kitchen

Davao de Oro---(Monday, May 4, 2020) More than 3,000 young children benefit the feeding program through the mobile kitchen (mobile kusina) of the provincial government of Davao de Oro.

A feeding program that promotes healthy and nutritious foods under the Kusina ng Kalinga (KNK) program of the province.

The mobile kitchen was first piloted in Barangay Union, Monkayo on April 24, 2020 where there was a total of 1,000 young children who availed of the nutritious and delicious foods that were served such us arrozcaldo and fried chicken.

On April 27, the team for the mobile kitchen went to New Bataan Resettlement Project-1 in Barangay San Roque, New Bataan, Davao de Oro where there was also a total of 1,432 children who availed the same of the said feeding program.

The province has targeted 14,000 children to feed through the mobile kitchen with nutritious foods especially in this time of crisis due to COVID-19.

The feeding program for the children using the Mobile Kitchen is one of the program of the Provincial Government that promotes spirit of volunteerism (bayanihan) were no one's left behind in Davao de Oro.

The provincial government also expressed their thanks and gratitude to the support from the Davao Multipurpose Seed Producers Cooperative (DAMSEPCO) for the 23 sacks of rice being donated for the continuing operation of the Mobile kitchen.

On the other hand, Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy also allocated his salary to support for the success of program together with his staff of the Provincial Governor's Office donated some amount from their own pocket.

"According to Governor Uy "padayon tang nagapakaon sa mga kabataan nga nagpuyo sa mga NHA ug GK Villages, nga aduna'y dako nga panginahanglan og pagkaon nga nutritious karong panahonan.

"He added that “dakong kalipay namo nga makita ang mga pahiyum sa atong mga kabatan-onan nga nagpuyo resettlements villages. Sobra 14,000 ang atuang target nga mga kabataan ang atong target nga mapakaon, ug dili ta muundang hangtod masiguro nato nga makakaon ug tarong ang tanang kabataan sa atong probinsiya.” (Rey Antibo, ID DDO)

Comval Gov delivers Local State of the Children's Report

Compostela Valley Province---  ”What we do now will surely make or break our children. There is no other choice but to ensure that the environment they live in is an environment that fosters hope, nurtures their talent and encourages growth,” this was part of the message of Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy during the celebration of the 26^th National Children’s Month (NCM) 2018 at the Provincial Capitol Lobby, Cabidianan, Nabunturan Comval on November 5, 2018.

This year’s NCM theme is “Isulong: Tamang Pag-aaruga, Para sa Lahat ng Bata.”

Highlights of the Celebration are the Local State of the Children’s Report of Governor Uy and the kick-off ceremony.

Governor Uy reported the child welfare and development agenda that highlights the five core areas: civil rights and freedoms, family environment for care and alternative care, basic health and welfare, basic education, leisure and cultural activities and special protections.

“Under civil rights, we conducted the Provincial Children’s Congress. Annually, we gather our child development workers to tackle the most pressing issues and problems concerning our children. This is also chance for our child development workers to express their concerns and grievances, a chance we hear the sentiments of our frontlines in the field-our child development workers,” said Gov. Uy.

Meanwhile, during the program Provincial Director Noel C. Duarte of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) gives the rationale of the NCM 2018.

He explains that this celebration is for the victims of violence, every country’s culture, social level, abuse, neglect, exploitation, and also for the streets, home, school and institution.

“The celebration is by virtue of Republic Act 10661, an act declaring November every year as NCM. The NCM celebrates successes of children, to campaign to end violence against children and promote their physical, emotional, moral, spiritual and intellectual well-being,” said Duarte.

Attending the program were the provincial officials, employees of the provincial government, students and personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“As part of the community that believes in the capacity of the young to make positive change, it is our sworn duty and solemn obligation that they access opportunities that they deserve. As governor that belongs to the generation of the young, I vow that I will dedicate every single day in making sure that our children live in an environment that protects their rights and puts their welfare at the center of our priorities,” ended Governor Uy. (Rey Antibo, ID Comval)

ComVal celebrates 25th Children's Month

Compostela Valley Province- The Provincial Local Government Unit of ComVal through  the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) leads the celebration of the 25^th National Children’s Month (NCM) with the theme “Bata: Iligtas sa Droga!” on November 6, 2017 at the provincial capitol.

This theme was approved by the Council for the Welfare of Children Board in support to the administration’s fight against illegal drugs.

The opening was led by Gov. Tyron Uy, SP Members and department heads and assistants as they released balloons in celebration.

   

The children's month is observed every November by virtue of Republic Act No 10661. This declaration commemorates the adoption of the convention on the Rights of the Child and seeks to instill its significances in the Filipino consciousness.

Highlighting the celebration are the following activities: the holding of the Provincial Children’s Congress, Provincial Bulletin Festival for the Day Care children and a Regional Consultative Forum.

There will also be activities to be conducted by the partner agencies like kids singing idol, poster making contest, medical and, feeding program and the "search for gulayan for day care center."  (Jazel N. Sarte//ids comval)

PROVINCIAL MEET

Comval Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy together with Department of Education-Comval Chapter School Division Superintendent Dr. Reynante Solitario and Pantukan Mayor Roberto Yugo visited the “Provincial Meet 2017” at the Municipal Eco-Tourism Park, Kingking, Pantukan Compostela Valley Province on November 7, 2017. (Photo by: M. Lasaca, PS Comval)

END HUNGER

Comval Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy attended the conduct of “1^st End Hunger Summit” one of the program of the Provincial Government for the “Bayanihan Para Sa Kalusugan-Kusina ng Kalinga (BPSK-KNK)” on November 7, 2017 at the Social Hall, Capitol Building, Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Comval.(Photo by: M. Lasaca, PS Comval)

Our children’s mother earth

WED, AUGUST 23, 2017 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

By KLAUS DÖRING

Yes, it’s again the topic, we should really think about. Also here in the Philippines. Ok, here’s anew string of examples, my dear readers. But, don’t expect good news.

Greenland, the great island is being called already the Land of Ice being on fire. Why? A recent report says the Arctic may be ice-free by 2040. The Antarctic is also melting, albeit far slower, and in a less regular pattern.

The Arctic is melting much faster than expected, and could even be ice-free in summer by the late 2030’s, a report from the Arctic Council’s Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program suggests. Previous studies had forecast an ice-free North Pole in summer by mid-century. Wow.

While the outlook is bleak for the Arctic, there is a silver lining for the Antarctic: As I said before, the ice is melting at a slower rate than previously thought. Although glacier flow has increased since the 1990’s, scientists from University of Leeds have found the melting rate to be only around a third of what was previously projected. A section of a glacier in Greenland is seen from NASA’s Operation IceBridge research aircraft along the Upper Baffin Bay coast on March 27, 2017.

Operation IceBridge studies the processes that link the polar regions with the Earth’s climate system. Rapidly changing polar ice means researchers need to use highly sophisticated airborne technology to measure annual changes in thickness and movement – onboard a retrofitted 1966 Lock-heed P-3 aircraft.

But the Antarctic is still melting. And a rapidly advancing crack in its fourth-largest ice shelf could soon see one of the largest icebergs ever recorded in human history break off into the sea. Scientists agree that global warming causes both the ice in the North and the South Pole to melt. Air temperatures are climbing, and so are water temperatures. This makes the ice melt faster. The period of winter where the water is actually cold enough to freeze is getting shorter, which means ice floes are getting smaller.

Greenland, home to the world’s largest permanent ice sheet outside Antarctica, is being swept by wildfires. Yes, the land of ice is on fire. A really breath away taking situation. Scientists say global warming and increased plant cover are likely factors. Since late July, wild-fires have raged across an ever-larger area of the landmass – and with greater intensity – than ever before observed.

Honestly folks, it really scares me although experts say it is too early to draw firm conclusions linking the fire to climate change be-cause no long-term data is available to put the blaze in context. However, unusually warm and dry conditions this year could have been a factor.

Let’s face this: “It’s unprecedented in the short 18-year observational record,” Jason Box, a climate scientist at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, said in an interview with German TV yesterday. “We also know that temperatures in Greenland are probably higher [than they have been over] the last 800 years.” Wow again!

Although the origin of the blaze is unclear – with lightening and a stray cigarette as possible suspects – what is clear is how it has been spreading across remote areas of grassland and low shrub. Greenland’s is indeed getting greener and greener. It conjures images of white, frozen expanses. But Box says global warming means it’s getting greener all the time. “There’s a shorter snow-cover season, and that allows the plant life to expand,” he explained.

The Arctic is heating up around twice as fast as the global average. At the same time, rainfall around the world is also increasing – and that trend as well is more present in the Artic. “More rain is a widespread symptom of climate change,” Box said. “You get more precipitation – and where you get the biggest increase is in the Arctic.”

For Greenland, warmer, wetter conditions mean more vegetation – which, seemingly paradoxically, could be a factor for the fire. And my next question is: what will be the impact of these fires on the ice sheet and surrounding areas?

Fact is: Greenland’s ice sheets melt, that contri-butes to sea level rise. And if we add North- and South Pole and their vanishing ice and snow? Yes, also the Philippines are in danger. Not this year or next year. But … !

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