𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐝𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐨'𝐬 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬

In celebration of the Solo Parents Week, the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro led by Governor Dorothy "Dotdot" M. Gonzaga, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office conducted the 1st Solo Parents Congress on April 26, 2024 at the Megatent, Capitol Grounds, Nabunturan, Davao de Oro with the theme "𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒐 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒏𝒂 𝑹𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒐, 𝒔𝒂 𝑮𝒐𝒃𝒚𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒐, 𝑻𝒊𝒚𝒂𝒌 𝒏𝒂 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒌𝒕𝒂𝒅𝒐".

Over 600 solo parents participated during the activity that featured sessions from various agencies. The aim was to empower and equip them with essential knowledge and tools while addressing the needs and challenges that a solo parent may face.

This initiative has been long envisioned by the Governor along with PSWDO Department Head Ms. Josephine Frasco. Despite her hectic schedule, the Governor made a personal appearance at the event and conveyed her eagerness for this activity. She expressed her understanding that solo parents are among the sectors that require the utmost assistance from the government saying "Dugay na nako gusto makuha inyong numero ug identities mismo sa mga solo parent kay kabalo ko nga usa mo sa sektor sa atung komunidad nga kinahanglan gyud tabangan sa gobyerno".

Congressman Ruwel Peter Gonzaga of the Second District in his message emphasizes that regardless of one's political affiliations or personal beliefs, the government is committed to providing support and assistance to all members of the society. "𝐴𝑛𝑔 𝐺𝑜𝑏𝑦𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑜 𝑑𝑖𝑙𝑖 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑑 𝑠𝑎 𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑘𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑏𝑎𝑛", he added.

The activity also highlighted the presentation of Ms. Chariena Joy Lacuin, RSW of City Social Welfare and Development Office- Panabo, who elaborated the Republic Act of 11861 otherwise known as the “Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act”. She provided insights into the rights and benefits of the solo parents under the law, ensuring that the participants understand and well-informed about the support available for them.

During the afternoon session, the focus shifted towards entrepreneurial mindset development and financial literacy which was presented by the Department of Trade and Industry- Davao de Oro. Additionally discussing the basic loan availment and consumer education.

Furthermore ,Technical Education and Skills Development Authority representative Ms. Mary Ann Afuan presented the programs and activities of TESDA. This is to provide the participants a comprehensive information with regard to vocational training and skills development opportunities, enabling them to acquire new skills or enhance existing ones to pursue sustainable livelihoods.

Among the attendees were EA Nena Atamosa, Board Members Vivencia L. Secuya and Ruwina Gonzaga, IPMR Albert P. Camana, PG Department Heads and others.

The Solo Parent Congress 2024 was a remarkable event that brought hope and empowerment to solo parents. The government's visionary leadership and the tireless efforts of all participants made it possible. This event serves as a reminder that no one walks alone on the journey of parenthood, in unity, there is Greatness as long as the 𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐒!  (Photos by R. Naval)

#SoloParentWeek #SoloParentsCongress2024 #GovernmentWorks #GovernmentWorksForSoloParents #WeLoveDavaodeOro

Provincial Administrator’s Office – Information and Public Relations Division

4th Floor, Executive Building, Provincial Capitol Complex, Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Davao de Oro

Click here to go to our website!

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)

Gov. Gonzaga joins 5th League of Provinces of the Philippines General Assembly

Davao de Oro Gov. Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga joined the 5th General Assembly of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) held at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City on August 26, 2023.

The LPP brings together more than 80 strong provincial leaders from across the country as it deliberates on current issues, fosters inter-provincial collaboration, and focuses on sustainable development in the region.

Headed by its National President, South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., the assembly discusses crucial events and topics aimed at strengthening ties among provinces and enabling them to work together on shared challenges and opportunities. Among those shared in the panel discussion includes the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election 2023, the Provincial Integrated Water Security Planning, Mainstreaming Climate Change in Local Planning and Programming Process, Integrating all provincial jails within the jurisdiction of BJMP, and sharing of best practices of the Province-wide Universal Health Care Program of La Union, among others.

Thus, encompassing a wide range of topics, the assembly served as a platform for the LPP members and key stakeholders to exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices, including Gov. Gonzaga, who actively joined in the discussion.

The gathering of the LPP is yet another testament to the power of unity and collaboration, and that “inter-provincial cooperation will drive positive change, enhance resilience, and ensure a brighter future for all Filipinos.” (PAO-IPRD DDO)