OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL MAYOR

CONNER MAYOR ATTY. JORICO F. BAYAUA DELIVERS HIS FIRST CHILDREN ADDESS IN HIS
ADMINISTRATION DURING THE NATIONAL CHILDREN’S MONTH CELEBRATION ON NOVEMBER 23,
2022 AT PAUL A. DELWASEN MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM, CAGLAYAN, CONNER, APAYAO.

Every year is observed as National Children’s Month. The celebration seeks to emphasize the importance of the role of
the child within the Filipino family and in Nation Building and mandates the promotion and protection of their physical,
moral spiritual, intellectual and social well-being by instilling in them the values of patriotism and nationalism, among
others as well as encouraging in public and civic affairs. By virtue of Republic Act 10661, the National Children’s Month
in the Philippines commemorates the adoption of the UN CRC on 20 November 1989, is annually celebrated every
November. It seeks to instill its significance in the Filipino consciousness. The Department of Social Welfare &
Development Office and National Youth Commission are the lead agencies for the yearly celebration. This year’s team is
dubbed as “Kalusugan, Kaisipan at Kapakanan ng Bawat Bata ating Tutukan”.

These report presents statistics on how the children are faring. It sets out the latest data on key indicators of health, well-
being, development, learning and safety in childhood, as well as the presentation of factors affecting children vis-à-vis the
Four Categories of Children’s Right: Survival Rights, Development Rights, Protection Rights and Participation Rights.
By synthesizing the results of a comprehensive exploration of childhood outcomes in our province, the report tells a story
of recent achievements and remaining challenges.

The Municipality teamed up with the Department of Education and the Municipal Health Office through programs such
as IEC/Symposiums. These programs were designed to increase awareness regarding teenage pregnancies which often
contribute on first-born baby deliveries data. With the primary health care, a safe motherhood and nutrition program
implemented by Municipal Government. One of the best practices, the Supplementary Feeding Program aims to address
the malnutrition of the children assessed as malnourished. Mayor Bayaua then emphasized that this practice is probably
the most expensive and costly intervention yet it is proven the most effective and widely implemented in the
Municipality.

This year it has been disheartening that we have documented a child who has been sexually abused. Assistance to clients during
respective hearings as well as counseling and other necessary services have been provided by the Local Government Unit through
the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office to safeguard children in such situations.

The Local Children’s Code of 2014 is being updated to ensure relevance to current situation of the children in our Municipality.

Unceasingly, the LGU through the different Offices and agencies in the Municipality will remain committed to upholding and
ensuring the rights and welfare of the children of Conner. Working hand in hand in the implementation of the various programs and
intensifying the Information Education Campaigns (IECs) such as on VAW-C, Anti-Rape, mental health and drug awareness and
etc. of the MSWDO, MHO the PNP and other concerns offices-all which are geared towards children protection, participation,
survival and development will strongly contribute to keeping Conner a Child-friendly Municipality.

In closing, I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation to stakeholders for the concerted efforts towards the protection and
promotion of the rights and welfare of our children and let us continue to do so.

Thank you and God Bless, Conner.

ATTY. JORICO F. BAYAUA

Municipal Mayorh