The annual celebration of the National Children’s Month culminated with a Regional Children’s Congress (RCC) held in Tumaga, Zamboanga City on Friday (November 29, 2024). The activity was participated by children aged 12-16 from various barangays in Zamboanga City who are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) under the DSWD.

The RCC convened 4Ps children for a series of activities that are aimed at developing the leadership skills of children and form the 4Ps Kids Club, an organization composed of 4Ps beneficiaries that contribute to the improvement of other children and the society.

“We have many exemplary children in the 4Ps program who excel in their academic performances and unsurprisingly, they are also movers of certain advocacies that address issues concerning other children,” said DSWD-9 Regional Director Riduan P. Hadjimuddin.

Part of the RCC was the awarding of fund worth Php5,000 to support the advocacy project/s of the 4Ps children. This year, two (2) clubs submitted their project proposals to address teen-age pregnancy issues in the community. One is from a 4Ps Kids Club in Culianan, Zamboanga City and another is from a club in Margosatubig, Zamboanga Del Sur.

The President of the 4Ps Kids Club in Zamboanga City, Joy Grace Balamban, was present during the Regional Children’s Congress and shared her testimony as a 4Ps child. Also gracing the activity was Zamboanga City’s Exemplary 4Ps Child 2024, Marc Andrei Subiate from Barangay Sta. Catalina who also shared his experiences being part of the National Children’s Congress which was held last November 18-22 in Mandaue, Cebu.

4Ps beneficiaries Joy Grace Balamban and Marc Andrei Subiate share their experiences as 4Ps Kids Club members

 

Apart from this, the culmination of the National Children’s Month also highlighted the monthly Youth Development Session (YDS) being conducted in Barangay Tumaga. The session was focused on Financial Literacy for the youth as the Department sees this as an important learning in molding the future leaders of the society.

Prior to this and still part of the month-long Children’s Month Celebration, the 4Ps management also conducted leadership training and workshops among 85 4Ps children in Margosatubig, Zamboanga Del Sur last November 6-8.

“We want wholistic development for our children-beneficiaries. We envision that these exceptional children would one day carve their name in their respective paths and so we see it important to start honing their skills as young as they are,” 4Ps Youth Development Focal, Charlene Salikala said.

Unbound Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on providing educational assistance through scholarships was also invited to discuss opportunities that the children-participants may avail to finish their studies.

The Department is also thankful to the Barangay Officials of Tumaga including it Sangguniang Kabataan officials for the support in the conduct of the Children’s Month Celebration in the region.