Most of these children, especially those in a public daycare center, are not given a chance to play and it is one of their rights.
It was a fine day for children to play.
And so last Saturday, Nov. 17, about a thousand kids headed to the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex to avail of free access to the play area for one day.
It was Mandaue’s first ever ‘Fiesta sa Kabataan’ which formed part of the celebration of the 26th National Children’s Month.
Accompanied by their parents and guardians, selected daycare pupils were given the chance to run around and play in the sports complex where play houses, inflatables, toys, and games were set up for children to enjoy.
Cosplayers were also around to entertain the kids with their creative costumes inspired by fictional heroes.
A photo booth, placed at the venue, served as a great way to preserve the children’s memories with their parents as they posed together for souvenir pictures.
Diomon Baculi, who accompanied one of the daycare pupils, was happy to see his ward enjoying games with other children.
Baculi described the 5-year-old child as “aloof” towards other kids in their neighborhood in Barangay Labogon, Mandaue City.
“Maayo ni kay ma-develop ang bata and maka experience pud siya og kalingawan mentras bata pa siya (This is a good activity because this will help the child develop and he will also experience fun while he is still young),” said Baculi who is helping the child’s mother take care of her two children.
At least P150,000 was allocated by the Mandaue City government for the occasion.
Five-year-old Vonne Chelzie Kwek, who is among the children who enjoy the play area, is described by her guardian as “aloof” to other kids.
City Social Welfare and Services (CSWS) head Jessie Perez explained that CSWS wanted to provide a venue for the children to express themselves and experience how it is to be a child.
“Most of these children, especially those in a public daycare center, are not given a chance to play and it is one of their rights,” said Perez.
This was also an opportunity for the children to bond with their parents, he added.
“For most of the children, their parents are busy looking for money for the sustainance of their family. We asked the parents to spare time for this day,” Perez said.
The participating pupils were divided into six batches with each batch given about 30 minutes to an hour to experience the fun games in the play area.
While the kids went inside the center to play, their parents and guardians watched from the bleachers.
Courtesy of Junior Chamber International (JCI), the children enjoyed free cotton candies and ice cream.
After the six batches of daycare pupils finished at 4 p.m., the doors opened for 72 streetkids and 14 children, classified as “abandoned,” to allow them to also experience fun in the play area.
Five-year-old Vonne Chelzie Kwek, who is among the children who enjoy the play area, is described by her guardian as “aloof” to other kids.
Challenge
Perez reminded the parents of their important roles in the development of their children.
“I hope they give their children time just to listen to them especially in this fast-changing world now so that they will know what their kids are up to; or if the children are already doing something bad,” he said.
The CSWS head noted that most kids nowadays were technology-driven because of easy access to the internet.
“There are positive effects but most times, the internet has a lot of negative influences,” Perez lamented.
He cited, for example, that some children begged for money just so they could play on the internet.
He also said that some children no longer go to school as they are addicted to playing computer.
“They would rather stay outside (in the streets) than go back to school,” he said.
Without proper guidance, Perez feared that the children will get into harm’s way and will someday come in conflict with the law.
In line with the Children’s Month celebration, the CSWS in Mandaue conducted simultaneous forums in selected elementary and secondary schools last Tuesday, November 20, covering topics on the ill effects of illegal drugs, bullying in school and of positive parenting.