One of the goals of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is to promote the rights of the children and make their voices be heard on program issues directly affecting them, in line with the said program goal, a nationwide conduct of Children’s Congress was held at the Philippine International Convention Center last October. The activity was participated by the regional winners of the Search for Exemplary Child along with some other provincial winners. Rea Lyka Bacang, 13 years old from the municipality of Malangas Zamboanga Sibugay represented the region in the nationwide competition of Search for Exemplary Pantawid Child, along with Hainun Munap of Zamboanga City, Jericho Jarlego from Zamboanga del Norte, Khim Ritchel Abapo from Zamboanga del Sur and Jerah Mae Pitalgo from Zamboanga Sibugay.

Several activities were prepared for the National Children’s Congress (NCC), which include the awardings of the national winners, workshops and lecture on children’s rights and the question and answer with some media personalities. The children participants were also brought to the National Museum and Museong Pambata to expose them with the richness of the Philippines in the preservation of cultures and art works.

The activity is a way to equip the children with essential faculties that would help them reach their full potential as child beneficiary as the program also aims that these children be capacitated to contribute to nation-building in the long run and be active citizens of the country.

It was indeed a remarkable experience for the children to participate in the said activity. But more even to the experience is the friendship built with other regional participants truly made the activity significantly memorable in the lives of the children. ###JLE###