“Bilang Ina ng Lungsod, ako ay nananawagan sa lahat ng mga magulang at sa mga nagpaplanong maging magulang, na sa bawat maligayang sandali ng inyongpakikipagniig, nawa’y maisip ninyo nang mabuti ang katuwang na responsibilidad sa mga magiging bunga ng inyong pagmamahalan.“
This call to responsible parenthood was made by Mayor Honey Lacuna as she led the city of Manila in the celebration of the National Children’s Month.
“Ang pagmamalasakit ng inyong pamahalaan ay lagi ninyong maaasahan, ngunit ang pangunahing proteksyon at ang pangangalaga sa mga bata ay nagsisimula at higit na inaasahan sa pamilya at tahanan. Huwag nating hayaang maging biktima ang ating mga anak ng ating sariling kapabayaan,” she said.
The lady mayor also said that as responsible parents, they will be emulated by children who look up to grown-ups as their role models.
Lacuna reiterated the local government’s commitment to the protection of children’s rights in the city of Manila, as she cited the numerous programs put in place by her administration through the various local units particularly the department of social welfare headed by Re Fugoso.
These include strengthening the free health services through the health cluster composed of the six local hospitals and the Manila Health Department; pre-natal care in the city’s health centers that includes ultrasound for pregnant women.
Children from 0-12 months old are given free vaccines with 59 % or 22,092 babies having been administered this year, so far.
About 150% of children underwent ‘ Operation Timbang’ while seven percent of stunted growth conditions have been addressed.
Free health programs in the city’s public schools have also been intensified while minors with disability have been included in the list of sectors that receive monthly financial allowance from the local government since January.
Over26,500 children are currently enrolled in the 474 childhood development centers as the city also launched in barangays’ Supervised Neighborhood Play’ as an alternative daycare.
Supplemental feeding is a constant along with the provision of free uniforms, bags, shoes and school supplies.
