LUBAO, Pampanga – “Sa tuwing pupunta ako sa iba’t-ibang lugar, hindi ko po maiwasang lumapit sa mga batang nakikita ko. Ganyan po kalapit sa puso ko ang mga bata. Ito po ang dahilan kung bakit pinagbubuti natin ang ating mga serbisyo para sa mga bata.”
Thus, noted Mayor Esmeralda G. Pineda in her state of the children address in celebration of National Children’s Month over the weekend.
Themed “Kalusugan, Kaisipan at Kapakanan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan,” this year’s celebration centered on the protection of the basic rights of children as enshrined in the Constitution.
Pineda, along with municipal social welfare and development officer Marilou delos Reyes and interior and local government operations officer Irene Bacani, welcomed several children from various schools, parents, and child development workers in the event held at the Pineda Sports Complex here.
The mayor said the Covid-19 pandemic heightened the need for the protection of children not only from the virus but also from the social problems arising from it, including the impact on the emotional wellbeing of everyone caused by restrictions on the movements of people.
“Kinausap natin ang mga barangay officials na maging maingat sa paghawak sa mga kasong kinasasangkutan ng mga bata. Inatasan din natin ang kapulisan na doblehin ang pagbabantay sa kanila lalo na sa gitna ng mga pagbabagong dulot ng pandemya,” Pineda said.
The municipal government, through its health and social services offices have been providing vitamins and nutritious food to malnourished children even as the vitamin supplementation for pregnant women continues.
“Hindi pa rin natatapos ang pandemya kaya nakatutok pa rin ang ating pansin para protektahan ang buhay at kalusugan ng mga bata. Nagbibigay din tayo ng dental services sa mga bata sa mga day care at public schools,” she added. Punto News Team/Lubao LGU
