TACLOBAN CITY – The Commission on Population and Development (Popcom) in Eastern Visayas marked the ninth birth anniversaries of the six 100-millionth symbolic babies on Thursday, July 27.
Popcom-8 Director Elnora Pulma said they will continue to celebrate the symbolic babies' birth anniversaries to monitor and ensure that they will be representing the lives of 112 million Filipinos.
"They will always be a celebration of life, and hopefully all of us will celebrate life through our actions, efforts, and commitment to ensure that we in Eastern Visayas life a quality life," Pulma said.
Pulma said that Popcom will continue to monitor these symbolic babies as a reiteration of their advocacy through the years that every child should be born wanted and his or her basic rights on social services such as health and education are ensured for his or her total development.
Representing Eastern Visayas' 100-millionth symbolic babies are Rian Go of Tacloban City; Miller Josh Tondo of Tanauan in Leyte; Blair Catalea Balabis of San Juan in Southern Leyte; Surrey Abenales of Catarman in Northern Samar; Jody Cervantes of Borongan City in Eastern Samar; and Joven Rey Arsenio of Catbalogan City in Samar.
Pulma assured that apart from their yearly celebration and gifts from Popcom and their partner agencies, these symbolic babies are fully immunized, monitored, and their education is maintained under the K-12 curriculum, including their birth certification and PhilHealth coverage.