COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS HOLDS KABATAAN KARAPATAN CARAVAN AT LVF
Empowerment starts when a person recognizes his/her worth and dignity and knows his/her privileges as a rights-based holder, enabling a person to work on in achieving self-actualization. Thus, Laura Vicuña Foundation is very much happy that the Commission on Human Rights has chosen LVF to be one of the venue for an orientation-workshop on KabataanKarapatan Caravan held at LVF building on Feb. 19, 2020! LVF girls, LVF- CPC children from Brgy. Pinagkaisahan and Taguig attended the said workshop which was divided into three sessions: (1) KARAPATAN NG MGA BATA which defined who is a child, the UNCRC, childs’ rights categories and its accompanying responsibilities; (2) BATA, BATA KUMUSTA KANA which gave an overview on the present situation of the Filipino children, their issues and concern in the school, community and society; (3) ANG BATA AT ANG BATAS which gave emphasis on the salient features of the various Child Protection Laws (R.A 7610, R.A 9231, R.A 9775, R.A 9208, R.A 11188, R.A 9344 and its amendments, R.A 9262, R.A 10627). The activity has reflected the children’s need for a safe space where they could play like playground, a nurturing and caring environment which could give them the opportunities to develop. There is a need for children to be informed of their basic rights along with its responsibilities as young as they are so that they grow up respecting others rights as well and protect themselves.
LVF INITIATIVES FOR THE NATIONAL CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AWARENESS WEEK
In observance of the National Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Week, LVF conducted advocacies to about 400 youth and parents on Child Protection Sessions with Barangay Pinagkaisahan,Cubao; Marcelo H. del Pilar Elementary School and in Pinamana Site, BarangayNapindan, Taguig. This is in partnership with the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC)-SC-SACSEC with the 2020 theme, WE ARE THE SOLUTION!
ADVOCACY WITH BARANGAY PINAGKAISAHAN COUNCIL FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN
Barangay Pinagkaisahan officials headed by Barangay Captain Grazielle Saab and LVF-CPC parents, Laura Vicuna Foundation Inc has conducted an awareness session on Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on February 16, 2020 held at the LVF Building, Cubao, Quezon City in pursuit to end violence against children. This session sought to raise awareness in the emerging and shifting trends of the various forms of abuses towards children and its varied modality through these preventive sessions. We have been developing technologically and Filipinos, especially the children, if not guided and supervised is at risk of becoming potential victims of exploitation in which one (abuser) can profit with the use of direct and non-direct contact with the victim. We are in a generation where the future seems to be at the palm of our children’s hands. Various studies showed that perpetrators now use internet as a medium in their illegal acts. It is high time that we address these issues concerning our young children. On the other hand, the parents were disturbed to have realized the fact that even their boys are not safe and spared from becoming victims of sexual abuse. Befriend them, monitor who their friends are, who they go out with, what they do and positive parenting has transpired in their sharing as a means to protect their children. That they even suggested to have the internet cafes and the pisonets within the community jurisdiction should be monitored by the barangay council. Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana’s welcoming remarks “It takes a village to raise a child” is indeed reflected in the sessions where LVF together with the children, parents and Brgy. Pinagkaisahan Council, has committed to protect children from various forms of abuses. The participation and involvement of the parents as head of the family and members of the community as a whole, plays an integral role in addressing the issues concerning children. And together, we could influence change by creating a violence-free community. We are indeed, the solution!
CHILD PROTECTION SESSION AT MARCELO H. DEL PILAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
A total of one hundred seventy-four (174) Grade Vi students were given sessions on Child Protection on February 12, 2020 at Marcelo H. Del Pilar Elementary School in Kamuning, Q.C. facilitated by LVF Social Workers Ms. RoseaMonsay assisted by Ms. Mercedes Juncia in observance of the National Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Week with this year’s theme: “WE ARE THE SOUTION”! The session was an interactive discussion between the participants and the facilitators. For children, Protective Behavior was discussed using short video clips on safe, unsafe and confusing touches. Children was able to ask “Panopo kung iyongpinagsumbunganko ay hindiakopinaniwalaan?” Thus the facilitators gave them four (4) networks whom they can tell: (1) MadalingLapitan;(2) Naniniwalasamgasinasabi ng bata;(3) Handangtumulong;(4) Handanggumawa ng aksyon para matulunganagad. They were also able to identify agencies and authorities like the DSWD, Police officers, Teachers, close friends and other relatives to whom they can run to, to name a few. Children also realized that abuse is not limited to girls alone. LVF acknowledges that school, as a child’s second home, plays a vital role in rearing and molding children thus this session is made possible with the partnership of School Principal, Ms. Helen Hilario.
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE SESSION AT BARANGAY NAPINDAN, TAGUIG
Laura Vicuna Foundation Inc. has reached a total of one hundred forty (140) participants, both parents and children during the Child Protection Session conducted by LVF Social Worker Ms. Rosea Monsay assisted by Ms. Mercedes Juncia at Pinamana Site, Brgy. Napindan, Taguig on February 15, 2020. This session is in observance of the Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Week with this year’s theme: WE ARE THE SOLUTION! A separate session for children was conducted which focused on Protective Behavior and for parents, an Awareness session on Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation. At the end of the session, the parents have committed themselves to help end various forms of abuses towards children. LVF underscores the integral role of children especially of the parents in preventing and ending these issues, and to work for their protection.
NATIONAL ANTI-POVERTY COMMISSION MEETING
The Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act or Republic Act 8425 mandates the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) to convene the National Sectoral Assemblies of the 14 Basic Sectors to identify their Priority Sectoral Agenda. Child advocate Hannah Babes Yap together with Laura Vicuña Foundation’s support staff Ms. Mercedes A. Juncia was invited to attend the Regional National Sectoral Assembly of the Children’s Sector on February 6 and 7, 2020 at the City State Tower, Mabini Street, Ermita, Manila. The speakers oriented the participants about NAPC and the importance of the basic sector participation in the government. The assembly seeks to broaden the space for basic sector participation and ensure a more equitable regional representation. As for the outputs of child advocates, they came up with regional specific sectoral and cross-sectoral issues and concerns.
LVF’S FAMILY DAY CELEBRATION!
Every first week of February, Mr. Precious and Ms. Alice Andam always sponsor the Laura Vicuña Foundation’s (LVF) Family Day Celebration. Around sixty (60) composed of the Salesian Sisters, staff, LVF girls and their families attended the celebration on February 2, 2020 at the LVF Building, #55 F. Manalo Street, Barangay Pinagkaisahan, Quezon City. The families attend the celebration to be able to catch up with the news about their girls. Everybody witnesses their radiant faces, genuine and bright smiles. Seeing their families always transform them! The presence and support of loved ones can really make miracles. LVF underscored that one of the integral factor in the girls’ healing is for them to reconnect and rebuild the detached and disintegrated relationship, that it is necessary for them to feel the warmth of their family’s love and care.
STRESS DEBRIEFING TO VICTIM-SURVIVORS OF TAAL VOLCANO ERUPTION
The Laura Vicuña Foundation (LVF) conducted two (2) more stress debriefing sessions in two (2) areas, one in Lobo, Batangas on February 3, 2020 and another one in TreceMartires, General Trias, Cavite on February 9, 2020 under the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Again they were facilitated by the LVF Social Workers, staff, trained Salesian Sisters and LVF girls. The debriefing allowed the participants to process the event that happened in their lives and reflect on how it has impacted them. It helped lessen the unpleasant short-term symptoms of trauma and Social Workers were able to assess whether follow-up is needed, Sessions empowered survivors to build resiliency and return to a normal, healthy life afterwards. Their hopes were centered on God and His working in their lives. Communication and their dependent grasp on God made the difference.
MIDTERM ASSESSMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE PROGRAM AGAINST CHILD LABOR 2017-2022 AND PLANNING WORKSHOP FOR 2020-2022
Laura Vicuna Foundation, Inc. is one among the two NGO’s who were invited to attend in the above two-days seminar workshop facilitated by DOLE-BWSC (Department of Labor and Employment-Bureau for Workers with Special Concerns) on February 12-13, 2020 held at Sequoia Hotel in Quezon City.The participants or representatives from different agencies consisted of different government organizations, workers’ sector, employers’ sector and two representatives from non-government organizations with programs on child labor. Atty. Ma. Karina Perida Trayvilla, director of Bureau of Workers with Special concerns and gave an overview about the 2 days’ workshop and its objectives for the assessment of the activities and programs from 2017-2019 where she emphasized the different gaps, challenges and strategies in the implementation of the PPACL (Philippine Program Against Child Labor). The director also gave thanks to the people behind the passing of the Executive Order No. 92, INSTITUTIONALIZING THE NATIONAL COUNCIL AGAINST CHILD LABOR TO UPSCALE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PHILIPPINE PROGRAM AGAINST CHILD LABOR that was signed last September 17 ,2019 by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. As the Philippines pledged to withdraw 560,000 child laborers within the years 2017-2021 in the 4th Global Conference on the sustained Eradication of Child Labor held in Argentina last November 2017, where the Philippines is the only country who committed this number. It is a big challenge to the country especially to the different organizations under the PPACL to make the country a child labor free. LVF Social Worker Mr. Ryan Azucena represented the Laura Vicuna Foundation who shared the institution’s efforts and accomplishment as member of the sub-committee of the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) in relation to its anti-child labor programs through its Alternative Learning System (ALS) in Laura Vicuna Women Development Training Center(LVWDTC) in Negros Occidental for the out-of-school youth and Advocacy Campaigns in different Schools and Communities that plays a significant role in the prevention and elimination of child labor in the Philippines. This gathering also unites people who are very passionate and zealous when it comes to mainstreaming child protection especially of the children’s situation in the sugarcane industry.
LVF JOINS LEARNING SESSION AND PLANNING WORKSHOP BY PACT GAA
Two (2) social workers of Laura Vicuna Foundation (LVF) namely Ms. Josielyn Hugo and Mr.Ryan Azucena participated in The Learning Session and Planning Workshop facilitated by PACT GAA (Philippine Against Child Trafficking Girls Advocacy Alliance) on February 19-21, 2020 at Robbinsdale Residences, Araneta Avenue, Quezon City. The said activity was participated by the different CSOs (Civil Society Organizations) and NGOs (Non-government Organizations) including the Laura Vicuña Foundation. The 3- day learning session and planning workshop was started by a prayer which was hosted by Ms. Raquel Ignacio – training officer of PACT Secretariat and each participant was welcomed by Ms. Ma. Salome Ujano – the national coordinator who was also assigned to give the background of the entire 3 days. According to her this was conducted to be able the invited members of the PACT GAA to be oriented in engaging on the bureaucratic process of the government in their conduct of their programs and activities in relation to counter Human trafficking, especially in the local level and also to learn from each other about the good practices as part of the 3-day sessions. There was an evaluation about the accomplishment of every member and the PACT GAA as whole from the two (2) year implementation. Each member identified their gaps and strengths in the implementation process as part of the evaluation which was used in the planning workshop. In the learning session the PACT Secretariat invited Mr. Edward S. Tiongco – the area coordinator of ECPAT for the learning Session on Mainstreaming Anti-Trafficking in Persons Plan or ATIP Planning and Budgeting particularly in working with the government on how to access and utilize the existing resources in the local level. For the two (2) years that LVF was a member of the project especially in its awareness raising activities i.e. child protection, children’s rights, human trafficking, online sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse where in some of these were funded by the project. As this is the last year of the PACT GAA Project, we are very blessed to work with these people from different organizations who considered themselves as not just partners but as a family that is dedicated to protect and promote the welfare of the children, families and society as a whole.
THE IMPACT OF ADVERSE CHILD EXPERIENCES (ACES) TO MENTAL HEALTH
Ms. Maria Eden A. Gianan, a psychiatric nurse was invited by Mr. & Mrs. Precious and Alice Andam to talk about “The Impact of Adverse Child Experiences (ACES) to Mental Health” to the LVF Educating Community. Ms. Gianan said, ACES is experienced by the following: children who are abused and neglected, those whose parents are separated and those with post-traumatic stress disorder. It is important to prevent ACES because of its negative impact to education and job opportunities. What should you do to prevent ACES? According to Ms. Gianan, be mindful of the words you say to oneself like saying you are outstanding because the more you say this to yourself, the more it becomes you. Second, organize one’s life by having set goals. Write down tasks and get a streak going by having a visual display of the number of times one achieve something. Third, do everything with gratitude and smile because it changes your brain. Fourth, pray and meditate because it will give you calm and peace. And lastly, exercise and have lots of Vitamin D. As an advice regarding happiness, she said, “Happiness is letting each situation be what it is instead of what you think it should be.”
Laura Vicuña Foundation, Inc. 