The Council for the Welfare for Children (CWC), an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is calling for a “one-society” approach to safeguard children’s safety, health, and nutrition as it celebrates the 31st National Children’s Month (NCM) in November.

With this year’s celebration theme, “Healthy, Nourished, Sheltered: Ensuring the Right to Life for All,” CWC seeks to raise awareness about child protection issues and strengthen relationships between the public and private sectors, as well as within the community.

This is especially important to ensure proper nutrition, mental health, and safeguarding children’s rights and welfare, CWC said.

The theme was developed in response to numerous threats to the safety, health, and nutrition of Filipino children.

Citing available data, CWC said two out of 10 Filipino children under five have stunted growth, and 7.6 percent of the total population is malnourished.

Moreover, stunting after two years of age can be fatal, especially during crises like Covid-19, negatively affecting Filipino families’ incomes and livelihoods.

CWC also pointed out that poverty is a major contributor to malnutrition, leading some families to resort to sexual trafficking, abuse, and child exploitation for income.

However, it noted that the onset of global inflation and rising food prices makes it more difficult to provide children with the proper nutrition and health.

“Sa pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin, particularly food and basic commodities, naaapektuhan ang access ng mga bata sa masustansyang pagkain gayundin ang access nila sa mga serbisyong pangkalusugan (With the increase in the price of goods, particularly food and basic commodities, children’s access to healthy food is affected as well as their access to health services,” CWC Executive Director Undersecretary Angelo Tapales said in a press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 24.

“The government and private sector are doing a lot for children, but we must admit we cannot work in silos; we have to partner and collaborate to band together to help children. I believe that together in close partnership and collaboration—we can do a lot more,” he added.

The 31st NCM highlights investing in children’s healthcare and nutrition, despite any health and economic crises.

The month-long celebration’s events will not only focus on children’s rights to survival but also on nutrition and healthcare in terms of their development, participation, and protection.

CWC, together with the National Youth Commission, and the DSWD, as the NCM lead agencies, will conduct major activities next month, which include free admission

The NCM celebration will feature free admission for children to select museums nationwide.

There will also be free rides on MRT 3 from grade school to senior high school from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 6.

The kick-off ceremony for the NCM will also be held on Nov. 6 in partnership with the City Government Of Valenzuela.

Schools and local government units are also encouraged to conduct the “Pambansang Palarong Pilipino” to promote traditional Filipino games, sports, or play activities at home or in safe spaces available within the school and community during the month-long celebration.

Meanwhile, the 6th Conference on Parenting in the Digital Age on Nov. 20 will discuss the health impacts of excessive online and gadget use of children.

The NCM culminating ceremony will be held on Nov. 28 to celebrate and recognize the contribution of children and duty-bearers on child rights promotion.