The Provincial Council for the Protection of Children and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office spearheaded the 30th National Children’s Month Provincial Kick-Off Ceremony held at the Capitol Social Hall on Friday, November 18, 2022.

The activity aims to acknowledge the importance of the mental health concerns among children before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as improve the mental health of Filipino children through activities that respond to children’s rights.

Negros Occ. Gov. Bong Lacson said that it is the vision of the Provincial Government that the Negrense children are born happy, healthy, secured, empowered, globally competitive, and living in child-friendly communities.

He said that the task of ensuring that the rights of every child are upheld and protected is not an option but a solemn responsibility of the home, the government, and the entire society.

“Here in Negros Occidental, we are doing our very best under our given circumstances to give the utmost care to our children and to make sure their rights are protected,” he said.

Present in the activity were Board Members Rita Gatuslao and Pocholo Yuvienco, Negros Occidental Association of Chief Executives (ACE) President and Victorias City Mayor Javi Benitez, and PSWDO Head Merle Garcia.

The theme for this year’s National Children’s Month is Kalusugan, Kaisipan, at Kapakanan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan”.