Press Release
December 15, 2014

November 20 to be declared as National Children's Day

The Senate today approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 332, an Act declaring November 20 of every year as National Children's Day, to allow Filipino families a day to celebrate and appreciate the rights of children.

"In a country like the Philippines where the struggle for peace and prosperity is felt and suffered most by children, a single-minded and concerted effort to create a 'children's rights culture' has to be made," Senator Pia S. Cayetano, sponsor of the bill, said.

Under the National Children's Day Act, all levels of educational institutions are encouraged to celebrate the day by holding activities that will inculcate in the students a "children's rights culture" for a sustainable development in the country's youth. Private enterprises are also encouraged to observe the day.

The United Nations, along with its 149 member countries, has been celebrating the Universal Children's Day every November 20 for 41 years now. Currently, the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) celebrates National Children's Month every October due to Proclamation No. 267, dated September 30, 1993.

With the Philippines targeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), it is essential to consider that UNICEF noted that six of the eight goals relate directly to children and the last two will make critical improvements in their lives.

"Let us remember that building a strong nation starts with raising our children well and giving them the best start in life by laying down the solid foundation for their future," Cayetano said. (APPLE BUENAVENTURA, PRIB)

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