More than six million Filipino children at risk for physical and mental harm
Manila (AsiaNews) In the Philippines there are six million children who are malnourished and deprived of private or public assistance, who rely on Christian and non Christian NGOs for any kind of help. Four years ago, child advocates from different NGOs and churches got together to form a group called "Akap-Bata" from the Filipino words that mean "embrace" and "child."
Describing itself as "a movement of volunteer care-teachers at the community level addressing the issues and concerns of children among the poorest of the poor," Akap-Bata promotes the creation of community-based early childhood care and development centers using an approach that is gender- and rights-based, said Bishop Eliezar Pascua, Secretary General of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) and Akap-Bata chairperson.
As an NGO, Akap-Bata seeks to work with the government, through the Development and Social Welfare Department, and the private sector to channel more resources into early childhood development.
As a network of volunteer care-givers and teachers, it has also established 35 childcare centers throughout Manila, serving more than 3,000 children. It also works with urban poor women in empowerment, leadership and parenting programs, said Mgr Deogracias Iñiguez, Catholic bishop of Caloocan and Akap-Bata vice chairperson.
Akap-Bata has also spearheaded the formation of the Philippine Legislators' Action Committee for Children (PLACC), a "quasi-NGO" composed of lawmakers that focuses on children's issues.
It also works with church groups, communities and universities in discussions and policy forums on Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and children's welfare to carry forward its advocacy efforts. The Philippines set up its own ECCD programme six years ago and is based on public-private cooperation in early childhood assistance.
Given the fact that more than six million Filipino children are considered malnourishedwith implications on their health and survival but also on their mental abilities and facultiesAkap-Bata's commitment remains insufficient.
The latest surveys found that 66 per cent of children under the age of six years have not gone through any form of child care, with more than 200,000 living on the streets "exposed to unsavoury influences." UNICEF believes in fact that as many as 60,000 are vulnerable to sexual exploitation.
According to Susana Villa, a mother and day-care volunteer with Akap-Bata, time is fast running out and things must be done now.
"If the villages do not act within the next ten years, the Philippines will lose another generation of young Filipinos to stunted mental, physical and emotional development. There will be huge added burdens to society and the economy if malnourished and underachieving youth are barely able to cope with the challenges of higher schooling and the changing workplace."
On Saturday Akap-Bata is holding its annual assembly at the Caritas Manila auditorium. "SA Sinapupunan ng Lansangan" (In The Womb of the Streets), a 40-minute documentary video will be screened. Shot by freelance broadcaster VQ Tagarao, it was produced with a grant from SERVE-Ireland, an aid agency that has ties with the Redemptorist congregation and carries out projects in Thailand, Brazil, Africa and the Philippines,.
In addition to showing a day in the life of families living in the streets, it features interviews with Akap-Bata officials, Department of Social Welfare and Development representatives, and day-care workers and advocates.
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22/09/2016 11:02
