Safe, healthy environment for kids a ‘shared responsibility’
PROVIDING children with a safe and healthy environment for their future is their right and “shared responsibility.”
This was stressed by the environment-advocate group BAN Toxics during the recent launching of the “Children’s rights for a Safe and Healthy Environment” campaign in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The group partnered with Dr. Yanga Colleges Inc. (DYCI) and the Diocese of Malolos to launch the advocacy.
Hundreds of students, parents, and teachers of DYCI and other neighboring schools, along with the Diocesan Environmental and Ecological Program (DEEP) of the Diocese, gathered together for their annual drive to promote a safe and healthy environment for the children in time for the celebration of National Children’s Month and National Environmental Week.
Reynaldo San Juan Jr., executive director of BAN Toxics, said that they strongly support the global movement to promote children’s rights and environmental awareness in every school, home, and community.
“We need to promote and nurture a safe and healthy environment for every child because it is a basic human right,” San Juan stressed.
National Children’s Month is celebrated in the Philippines every year in November under Republic Act (RA) 10661 to commemorate the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on Nov. 20, 1989. UNCRC seeks to promote the protection of children’s rights.
This year, the theme for the 30th International Children’s Month is “Kalusugan, Kaisipan, at Kapakanan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan!”
November is also declared as “Environmental Awareness Month” pursuant to RA 9512, which states that “the policy of the State to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, and in recognition of the vital role of the youth in nation building and the role of education to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development, the State shall promote national awareness on the role of natural resources in economic growth and the importance of environmental conservation and ecological balance towards sustained national development.
In an effort to promote the campaign, the group spearheaded a hybrid webinar among students, parents, and teachers on children’s rights and the importance of environmental awareness among the young generation.
To raise environmental awareness during the event, the students showed their colorful slogans, which emphasized their young voices and their role in protecting the environment.
“Every child has the right to the best possible health. Governments must provide good quality health care, clean water, nutritious food, clean environment, and proper education on health and well-being so that our children can stay healthy,” the group added.
