BONTOC, Mountain Province – Gov. Leonard Mayaen said the welfare of children is one priority of the provincial government even as he solicited cooperation of government agencies and non-government organizations in the province.
In his State of the Children Report at the multi-purpose hall here, Mayaen spelled out his plans with respect to rights of xhildren.
On health, the governor noted the low number of pregnant mothers undergoing pre-natal check-ups which might be responsible for the 57 recorded still births and some cases of maternal death in 2009.
Newborn screening, exclusive breastfeeding and immunization need to be stepped up to sustain its positive acceptance among the different communities and to address infant deaths, he said.
Despite abundance of locally grown food, malnutrition continues to be a problem among children in the province.
The number of underweight children is on the increase in the towns of Paracelis and Sadanga while cases of overweight toddlers were recorded in central barangays of different municipalities.
Indicators in the pre-school and elementary schools are fast improving.
The pre-school participation rate has greatly increased at 94 percent given the combined support of the local government units and the UNICEF which provided learning materials to learning centers.
The performance of elementary grade school children is seemingly improving.
From a dropout rate of .32 percent in school year 2008-2009, it dropped to .10% last school year.
This development is transformed to better academic achievement as shown in the improving rate of the elementary students the National Achievement Test.
From 61.27% in school year 2008-2009, it went up to 62.98% last year.
Even with little decrease in the dropout rate, indicators reveal a declining performance among secondary school students.
The promotion rate dropped to 82.96% last school year compared to the 86.96% in the 2008-2009 academic year.
The regressive trend manifested itself in the worsening performance of secondary students in the National Achievement Test.
Their average went down to 43.96% last year from the 46.31% record two years ago.
There were 90 illiterate out-of-school youths who completed the Alternative Learning System (ALS).
At least 11 abuses were recorded last year by the DSWD. Cases were filed against some suspects while the rest were amicably settled.
Mayaen said the problems confronting children who compose more or less 50 percent of the total population of the province are indeed challenging, but must be given solutions.
With respect to the children’s right to health, the present leadership is willing to give its share to ensure that all needy households will be enrolled in the PhilHealth and that operations of all provincially managed hospitals will be improved.
Just recently, a surgeon was assigned to oversee the Barlig District Hospital.
It was Oct. 11 that a surgical operation was conducted at the said hospital after 32 long years of existence.
The provincial government will continue to buy toothpaste for the Oral Health Program.
In an effort to combat malnutrition among the children, the local government will endeavor to carry on its partnership with concerned national agencies to sustain the on-going hunger mitigation programs.
This is to augment the livelihood programs which will be implemented next year. Included in next year’s budget is an amount for livelihood programs and aid to overseas employment.
It will be lent out to organizations, groups and individuals with feasible income generating projects to increase the household earnings of the people.
For education, the provincial government will prioritize the construction of day care centers even as it will continue, through the Provincial School Board, to provide funding and policy support for the different school activities. The province, starting next year, will purchase review materials for achievement tests and other instructional materials.
Upon the request of the office of the provincial governor, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed an ordinance increasing incentives of student athletes and their coaches who win in regional and national sports competitions.
This will not only enhance the physical being of students but it will also give more reason for them to excel.
The governor also hopes that the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army will continue their educational programs.
PNP officers had been going around schools lecturing students on ill effects of drug abuse and enlightening them on local ordinances relative to peace and order.
On the other hand, the Philippine Army will help the All Saints Mission School, under its Adopt a School Program.
In the Longitudinal Tracking of Educational Attainment for Elementary Graduates from 1997 to 2001 conducted by the Division Office of the Department of Education, it was found out that only 29 out of 100 elementary graduates finished college.
It is for this reason that the Provincial Educational Assistance Program will be continued. Those who will be selected will receive an increased allowance of 3,000 pesos per semester.
Also in the budget for next year is another amount that will be used to employ rebel returnees.
The primary objective of this is for them to have something to start with and to enable them to send their children to school.
Relative to child protection, the Provincial Legal Office is offering free services to victims who could not afford to hire private lawyers.
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