The provincial government of Davao del Norte continues to invest in the future by giving high priority to the rights of children for survival, development, protection and participation.
“We ensure the well-being, development and protection of our kids… We continue to strengthen policies and programs that build their capacity to face the challenges of tomorrow,” he said in his Local State of the Province Address (LSCA).
The LSCA is a highlight of the festive provincial culmination of the National Children’s Month celebration held last November 27, 2024 in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The kids were treated to games, giveaways, sumptuous food and a special visit of their favorite mascot from a famous fast-food chain.
Jubahib highlighted his accomplishments, particularly on healthcare and nutrition and other programs focused on meeting the needs and protecting the rights of children.
These include reducing infant mortality from 12.37 percent in 2022 to 8.7 percent per 1,000 live births in 2023, decreased maternal deaths from 59.24 percent per 100,000 live births in 2022 to 46.92 percent last year, and lower malnutrition rate of 2.55 percent.
Jubahib’s Zero-Billing Program also provided life-saving medical interventions to disadvantaged children and their families.
The Women Development Center (WDC) of the province provided psychosocial support and legal assistance to 18 abused children and women this year, while the Level 3 Bahay Pag-asa Center cared for 37 children in conflict with the law (CICLs) last year.
The governor also put up the Balay Panaghiusa that sheltered Children in Situation of Armed Conflict (CSAC), to include the 15 Indigenous children who were rescued from Cebu City in 2021.
Davao del Norte is the first province in Davao Region to create the Provincial Council Against Child Labor (PCACL), aimed at child labor protection and response measures.
The province assisted two key operations which resulted in the rescue of three minors, which include two IP girls who were forced to work in Marawi City, as more victims of trafficking were rescued this year leading to prosecution of the perpetrators.
The Provincial Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (PICAT-VAWC) achieved the highest level of functionality by obtaining the ratings of 105% and 109% in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
The DavNor Teen Tambayan Hub alone provided health and psychosocial services to 2,571 disturbed teens, apart from thousands more being served by the 23 other Teen Tambayan Centers throughout the province.
Writer: Noel Baguio
