By DIANN IVY CALUCIN
Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo "Along" Malapitan has announced his plan to make Children's Day an annual celebration in the city.
Malapitan made his announcement during the first celebration of the event at the People's Park in the city on Saturday, Sept. 10.
He added that the event honors children, advocates them, and builds a better community.
“Ang hangarin natin, taon-taon na magkaroon ng Children’s Day bilang tanda at paalala na rin na ang ating mga programa’y para sa magandang kinabukasan ng ating mga kabataan (Our desire is to have a Children's Day every year as a sign and reminder that our programs are for the good future of our youth),” he said.
The city mayor said the event would also mark the start of lifting the restrictions imposed since the Covid-19 pandemic emerged in 2020.
“Kasama po ang pagdiriwang na ito sa ating mga programa upang maiparamdam natin sa mga Batang Kankaloo ang pagbabalik sa normal ng ating pamumuhay matapos ang mahaba-habang panahon na limitado ang ating galaw dulot ng pandemya (This celebration is included in our programs which aims to make Batang Kankaloo live their normal lives again after a long period of limited movement due to the pandemic),” Mayor Along stated.
The city government prepared activities, snacks, vitamins, and other programs for the kids.
The activities include face painting, a photo booth, and playing at the inflatable play park.
Mayor Along's wife, Ms. Aubrey Malapitan, led the story-telling activity to encourage the parents to bond with their children more through reading.
A total of 158 children, aged five to 12 years old, attended the event.