PGMA vows to protect, promote kids' welfare
Roxas City – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has called on the nation to focus its joint efforts on strengthening and empowering the human rights of Filipino children.
President Arroyo has renewed the government's commitment to protect and promote the welfare of all Filipino children as she inaugurated the multi-million Accelerating Minors Opportunity for Recovery (AMOR) Village in Tarlac.
The President's call is in line with the celebration of the anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights yesterday, December 10.
She cited the four broad categories embodied in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Children, namely, survival, development, protection and participation.
"The AMOR Village expresses the commitment of its sponsors to love and nurture the children under their care, " the President said.
She added that the children's center, which is a world-class facility for children with special needs, is such a wonderful Christmas gift to the needy children, particularly abandoned, abused and neglected by their families.
"AMOR Village and similar other children's shelters assist government in looking after the mental health and emotional rehabilitation of handicapped children, those who were abandoned, and victims of domestic abuse. These are the neediest ones. They should always receive our preferential attention and care," the President said.
The facilities of the village which were inspected by the President include nine buildings, library, playground, bicycle lane, fishpond and other recreational amenities.
She likewise witnessed the turnover of the AMOR village to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through Secretary Esperanza Cabral for the maintenance and operation of its facilities.
The village will be managed and run by the DSWD-Region III in collaboration with the Tarlac provincial government.
It will primarily serve abandoned, abused and neglected children, ages one month to 16 years old.
A 30-man staff will run the center, which houses 50 children at present.
The village will offer services in the areas of social, home life, education, health, psychological/psychiatric, recreation/sports. It will also provide livelihood skills development, functional literacy and spiritual/religious activities. (PIA/Jemin B. Guillermo)