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INTRODUCTION
November marks the start of National Children’s Month, as declared by the Council of Welfare
for Children (CWC). This month-long event aims to promote and spread awareness on the rights of
children here in the Philippines, considering the political and social climate they live in.
The Philippines still has a long way to go when it comes to ensuring adequate healthcare, quality
education, and a bright future for Filipino children. In UNICEF’s Situational Analysis of Children in the
Philippines, data show that 31.4% of children were living below the poverty line in 2015. A more recent
study in 2017 showed that for every 1,000 babies born, 28 die before they turn five years old.
The figures may look bleak, but the fight is not yet over. The key to giving Filipino children the
best possible start in life is to educate oneself about their rights, as declared under Presidential Decree
No. 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code.
In light of the National Children’s Month, the following are the 12 rights of the child—and what
adults can do to uphold them.
3. Every child has the right to be raised well and become contributing members of society.
By raising them in a safe and loving environment, parents and guardians can shape the
personalities of their young to be useful and
5. Every child has the right to access what they need to have a good life.
This right goes beyond the basic needs and focuses more on the atmosphere of the place they will
be raised in. A child’s needs must always be attended to so they feel the support of people around them,
which in turn will build and strengthen their character in adulthood.
7. Every child has the right to play and enjoy their youth.
Children have the right to engage in wholesome recreational activities whenever they wish and
not be exploited for events that are deemed only for adults to do, i.e., intensive manual labor.
8. Every child has the right to be protected from danger
This includes all hazards that could affect their physical, mental, and emotional states, such as
removing them from dangerous living situations, preventing them from getting into accidents, or
protecting them from the abuse of adults, to name a few.
10. Every child has the right to be cared for in the absence of their parent or guardian.
If the parent or guardian fails to fulfill their role, the State shall assume custody and care for the
child, providing them with their fundamental needs for growth and development.