November News

COUNTER-TRAFFICKING ADVOCACIES IN NEGROS OCC. & CEBU

A total of thirteen thousand one hundred sixty (13,160) students were given the LIFTS (Laura Vicuña Foundation’s  Initiatives to Fight Trafficking, Sexual Abuse and Commercial Exploitation of Children/ACTS (Advocacy Against Child Trafficking In Schools and Communities) by two (2) LVF’s Social Workers Mr. Ryan Azucena and Ms. Mercedes A. Juncia in Negros Occidental and Cebu City for November 2019.
 
For NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, the Laura Vicuña Foundation(LVF) has reached seven thousand five hundred seventy-three (7,573) students and parents combined from November 7-29, 2019.  LVF has partnered with various schools namely: Don Felix Robles Elementary School - La Castellana (78 students) on Nov.7, Home of Hope-Bacolod (21) and Alfonso Sta. Ana Memorial National High School (100) on November 9; Laura Vicuña Women Development Training Center-Malihao (135 students) on November 12;Estado Elementary School-Mimi Extension (64 students and 15 parents) and Estado Elementary School (116) on November 14; Valencia Ko Elementary School (64) and San Enrique National High School (874) on November 15;Sibucao Evangelical Church-San Enrique, Negros Occ. (275) on November 16; St. Francis of Assisi School-Silay City (314) and Brgy. Estado National High School-Victorias City (152) on November 19; Rosario Elementary School-La Castellana (73) on November 20; Nicolas L. Jalandoni Memorial School - E.B Magalona (66) on November 21;Bagonawa Evangelical Church San Enrique (99 students and 13 parents) and Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias (CSAV) (500) on November 23; Cudangdang Elementary School (99) and Sta. Teresa Elementary School (65 students and 13 parents) and Dr. Vicente F. Gustilo Memorial National High School (DVFGMNHS) Cadiz City (1,880) on November 27; Cuaycong Elementary School (334) and Nanca Elementary School (149) on November 28; Victorias National High School-Canetown (412), Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias-Integrated School (CSAV I.S.) (1,098), Villa Victorias Elementary School (365) and Salvacion Elementary School (199) on November 29. Schools and communities work collaboratively with LVF in conducting these sessions to counter trafficking and different abuses among children. The said advocacy sessions were made possible through the partnership with DepEd Neg. Occ. and Cadiz City, school principals and barangay heads.
 
One student from CSAV said that we should open our minds to these situations like trafficking, abuses and exploitation.  Who knows it might happen to us in the future.That is why it is good that we have this advocacy session. Another student from DVFGMNHS said they are still very lucky because they have parents who send them to school and through this advocacy was inspired to study very well. One mother from LVWDTC also said that ‘’As a parent, we are primarily responsible for our children and it is our obligation to protect and support them in their welfare and development.
 
As for CEBU CITY, five thousand five hundred eighty-seven (5,587) students of Ramon Duterte Memorial National High School (RDMNHS) in Guadalupe, Cebu City were given the sessions by Ms. Mercedes A. Juncia on November 4 to 28, 2019.These were some of the sharings of some students: one student learned that some obstacles in one’s life are not hindrances in reaching one’s dreams in life.   Another one said in order to help the victims of abuses, trafficking and exploitation we need to speak up and take action.  Then another one said, child pornography is not a joke.  It has been a very real problem in the Philippines. That is why, boys should stop watching them.The RDMNHS principal was very thankful to LVF for giving them the opportunity to have these advocacy sessions. With these sessions, the students are now aware on how they can reject trafficking, abuses and exploitation.

NATIONAL CHILDREN’S MONTH KICK-OFF CEREMONY

A total of two thousand five hundred (2,500) children enjoyed, learned and had a fun-filled day at QC Circle during the launching of the 27th National Children’s Month kick-off ceremony last November 06, 2019! The celebration was doubly meaningful for it is also the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child with this year’s theme: “Karapatang Pambata: Patuloyna Pahalagahan at Gampanantungosa Magandang Kinabukasan”. By the virtue of Republic Act number 10661 which declares November of every year as a National Children’s Month, the Council for the Welfare of Children(CWC) spearheaded the month-long celebration specifically for the children. With the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Youth Commission (NYC), hand in hand with other advocacy partners that promotes the rights of the children, various activities are designed underscoring every children’s rights to Survive, Develop, Participate and be Protected.  Acknowledging that play is vital to child’ development, the Philippine Play Coalition has prepared inflatables, interactives booths and a space for Filipino games! The ceremony was opened with the presence of CWC E.D Mitch Cajayon-uy, DSWD Sec. Rolando Bautista, NYC Commissioner Laurence Diestro, World Vision Ambassador Bianca Umali together with the other government and non-government partners. Laura Vicuña Foundation, as a child caring institution has participated in the said activity. 

“BATA, KASALI KA! FORUM”

The month-long celebration of the National Children’s Month has a weekly theme focusing on Children’s Rights. This third week of November has focused on Children’s Right to Participate with focus on Children in governance and play, thus, it is in this light that the National Youth Commission (NYC) called for a forum which involved children from different organizations, NGO’s, GO’s, and LGU’s. The activity has paved way for children to impart their insights and recommendations contributory on how the government, school, community and family’s engagement in matters affecting them, and to promote play as an integral part of a child’s learning and development process which was made possible through the NYC’s partnership with the MuseoPambata, UNILAB and World Vision.  The Laura Vicuña Foundation Inc.is honored to be invited and be among the participants during the “Bata, KasaliKa!” Forum held at MuseoPambata last November 23, 2019. The forum ended with the tour at the Museo.

ORIENTATION SESSION ON GENDER POLICY

The Philippine Against Child Trafficking (PACT) represented by Ms. Salome Ujano, PACT Executive Director conducted an orientation on Gender Policy for Laura Vicuña Foundation staff with the participation of LVF Consultant Asuncion Cueto. This aims to strengthen the gender-fair policies, frameworks and approaches in moving towards achieving the goals in the context of a gender-fair society.

CYBER GUARDIANS: PINOY’S GUIDE ON DIGITAL PARENTING

This year’s celebration of the National Children’s Month in the Philippines is anchored on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the 3rd National Plan of Action for Children (NPAC) which compliments on the implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action to End Violence Against Children (PPAEVAC). It is in this light that the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), Plan International, together with the Facebook Philippines conducted a one-day conference on Digital Parenting on November 21, 2019 at Bayleaf Hotel, Intramuros.The Laura Vicuña Foundation (LVF), as one of the partners of CWC in the protection of children for more than a decade, was among the invited NGOs to attend the said conference which was represented Ms. Rosea Marie Monsay, LVF Social Worker and three parent leaders from the Child Protection Clinic (CPC) communities. This conference gave focus on the effects of digital technology on the children’s mental health and some safety tips to protect oneself in the dangers of cyberspace.  A study has shown that two in five children have experienced cyber violence, either through the internet or cellphone (Systematic Literature Review of the Drivers of Violence Affecting Children, 2016). Mr, Ysrael Diloy, Senior Advocacy Officer of Stairway Foundation, talked about the three effects of being an active Digital Citizen: the safe (positive), unsafe(dangerous) and the risky (not totally dangerous nor safe). He had dropped tips on how to Tech Talk with Your Kids and how to make cyberspace less risky for children. This parallels to the message from the CWC Executive Director Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy: “Our children may know a lot about how these gadgets and technologies work but we adults, parents and caregivers have our experiences and lessons that life has taught us and we must always protect them.” The conference was highlighted by the partnership launch of the CWC, Facebook Philippines and Plan International which was graced with the presence of Ms. Snow White Smelser, Safety Policy Manager, Facebook Asia Pacific, Mr. Christopher Kuzhuppilly, Public Policy Manager Facebook Philippines and Ms. Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy, CWC Executive Director. A workshop on Facebook’s Parenting Module was conducted to localize the content in the Philippine setting for effective facilitation delivery towards target participants that would promote positive discipline as an effective approach to parenting, care giving and digital citizenship.

LVF WELCOMES SR. MABEL!

Last November 26, 2019, the Laura Vicuña girls together with the LVF Sisters welcomed Sr. Mabel Pilar, FMA, Provincial Head of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, on her annual visit!They were indeed blessed to acknowledge the presence of Mary through Sr. Mabel who reminded them to look back on the blessings they have received. Give thanks and be grateful. For four days, Sr. Mabel talked with the LVF Girls, sisters and staff. This is also a chance for everyone to renew their relationship to Mary.

LVF JOINS FILM VIEWING ON POSITIVE DISCIPLINE!

Adults, educators, parents and soon-to-be-parents have a crucial role in child-rearing thus, last November 26, 2019, Laura Vicuña Foundation Inc., represented by Ms.Virginia Jison, Sr. Felicidad Boado, FMA and ten(10) mothers from Child Protection Clinic on Wheels Sta. Mesahas joined the Film Viewing on Positive Discipline for Parents and Caregivers held at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Auditorium.As part of the Children’s Month Celebration, the activity aimed to provide its participants tips on positive discipline in child-rearing. A workshop was conducted to deepen their knowledge on common issues that arises between the child’s birth to adolescence and how to positively address or counter these issues.

LVF Celebrates National Children’s Month In Brgy. Napindan! 

In celebration of the National Children’s Month with this year’s theme: “Karapatang Pambata: Patuloyna Pahalagahan at GampananTungosa Magandang Kinabukasan”, Brgy. Tipas and Brgy. Napindan had a joint activity headed by the Laura Vicuña Foundation Inc (LVFI) in partnership with the Philippine Against Child Trafficking (PACT) held at Brgy. Napindan last Nov. 9, 2019.  One hundred (100) participants coming from Brgy. Napindan which is composed of young people, mothers, barangay officials and community leaders had joined the COLOR FUN RUN! The said event started at 5 o’clock in the morning where the participants wore white T-shirts for a more colorful run. The event brought so much excitement to the participants as first three (3) runners who will reach   the finish line will be declared winners and cash prizes will be given away. One of the winners of the said fun run came from Brgy. Tipas, Taguig. After the Fun Run, all the participants gathered in the covered court of Brgy. Napindan and ate their free breakfast.  Brgy. Napindan is one of the community partners of the Laura Vicuña Foundation under its Child Protection Clinic on Wheels Program.

DSWD MIMAROPA ASSESSMENT

Social Worker Officer ll Standards Section Ms. Irene Jaballas from DSWD MIMAROPA visited the Laura Vicuna Center Palawan last November 7, 2019 for the Assessment prior to the Accreditation of the center's programs and services. Ms. Jaballas checked all the pertinent records needed for the accreditation, conducted a one on one interview with the center head, Sr. Aleth Evangelista, FMA, facilitated a focused group discussion among selected children and a brief orientation among the staff and volunteers. We thank Ms. Irene Jaballas, rsw for her time, presence and for facilitating the process of assessment prior to accreditation which is tentatively set by January 2020.

LVC PALAWAN CELEBRATES NATIONAL CHILDREN'S MONTH

November is declared National Children's month dedicated for the welfare and best interest of Filipino children. Ms. Christine Sumagaysay-Garobo, RSW, the center's volunteer social worker together with the three Social Work interns facilitated the Child Protection Workshop last November 14, 2019 with the theme: "WASTONG PAGTRATO: KARAPATAN AT RESPONSIBILIDAD KO." the team discussed the rights and responsibilities of children and focused on the issue on Bullying. The workshop highlighted the call fir each one to respect and acknowledge the dignity of the person. The session ended with the children themselves electing their core group officers for Child Protection.

LVC PALAWAN JOINS 2019 BUGSAYAN BUGSAYAN