Be a child advocate in honor of Sto. Niño

The procession of the fiesta of the Sto. Niño used to be the main event. Many of the people who joined this activity were parents carrying their children in their arms. The Sto. Niño had answered their prayers with the recovery of their sick child. For others, the child was given by the Sto. Nino after years of childlessness.

The radio programs of the Legal Alternatives for Women Center focused on children since the Sinulog activities began. In Takna sa Kababayn-an Atty. Irene Contang-Caballes discussed the rights of the child and pointed out that in her daughter’s class (grade two) they were learning about the topic. In its Kapihan with the Cebu Women’s Network, there was a very provocative discussion on the law regarding children in conflict with the law. There were those who questioned why those below 15 should not be held accountable for wrongdoings. Lawyer Noemi Truya-Abarintos said limitations of the child below 15 are related to brain development at this age. Fe Tamayo- Cabatingan who had worked with the Department of Social Welfare and Development stressed the importance of having places where children in conflict with the law can undergo a process by which the child can transcend their traumas and adjust to the challenges of growing up in more positive ways. Everyone agreed on the responsibility of the parents. But is it the responsibility of parents alone?

A few years ago, I remembered that during the Sinulog celebration, the question of Cebu being a good place for the young was discussed. How do we rate as a child-friendly community, we who celebrate in such a grand way the feast of the Holy Child?

Various groups have been exerting effort to build a more child-friendly community. Government efforts include the passage by the Province of Cebu of a Children’s Development Code. Perhaps this was the basis of the municipality of Consolacion’s holding a children’s congress where the children themselves discusses problems of children in the locality and proposed solutions. The provincial government with the International Justice Mission has been exerting efforts to protect our children from cybersex abuse.

UP Cebu High School was also invited to make its stand on the regulation of Internet cafes when the Cebu City Council crafted an ordinance on this issue. Cebu also had an Anti-violence Against Women and Their Children Ordinance ahead of the national law.

The Department of Education has set up the Alternative Learning System to make sure that almost everyone in the community can avail of schooling.

Community groups have also contributed to the promotion of children’s welfare. The Alay Kapwa-Gagmayng Kristohanong Katilingban set up day care centers long before these were required by the government. They focus on Christian values. Since those in charge are women from the community, Sr. Vincent takes every opportunity to connect them with those able to provide them with more skills in handling the day care center. Her friends have also volunteered to do feeding on a regular basis to improve the children’s nutrition. Friends from abroad provide assistance for grants-in-aid to families having difficulties letting their children complete their education.

Dilaab in partnership with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. has been helping street children get educated. With interns from Cebu Normal University, they provide children with physical and psychological support so they can succeed in school. Another group of young people are working students with Dilaab as they pursue their college education. Within the community they are able to have spiritual support aside from the usual forms of assistance. Personnel go out of their way to closely follow up the young people, visiting the school and getting in touch with the children’s families.

We are also fortunate to have the Children’s Legal Bureau led by Jo-Ann Saniel Amit. Children’s rights are championed while young lawyers develop a deep concern for the children’s acquiring justice.

And there are other groups seeking to support those below 18. But there are still many children begging. Many kids are used as runners for drug pushers and resort to drug use. Infants are used as props by some mendicants. Many young people are caught for thefts and robberies or have been rape victims. Prostituted children are available here. Many children are abused by those who are supposed to love them because they are seen as the property of their parents. Many young people ended their lives. The Philippines, Cebu has been cited as a leading cyber pornography site.

Cebu is famous for the Sinulog Festival, the celebration of the Holy Child. Millions have gathered to give thanks for the many benefits from their prayerful dedication to the Holy Child. Many have come to fulfil the promise to return in thanksgiving for answered requests or “pana-ad”.

Maybe, for the love of the Holy Child we can also have an added commitment, a promise to cherish children, not just our own children, in concrete ways. While it is true that parents are responsible for their children, parents are solely responsible. As Hillary Rodham-Clinton said in her award winning book: it takes a village.