Mayor Narciso “Narwin” Javelosa Jr. said there is an 80 percent increase in the scholarship fund of Sagay City, amounting to P18 million compared to last year’s P10 milling during his inaugural State of the Children’s Address at Balay Kauswagan, recently.
In his speech dedicated to all the programs and efforts of the city toward child development, he said that this increase in funding benefitted 629 Sagaynon scholars and eight special grantees.
“Our children’s month celebration each year emphasizes our commitment and responsibility to the well-being and welfare of our children,” he said, adding “This is a wake-up call for all stakeholders to uphold and safeguard children’s rights and to chart our efforts, initiatives, and achievements for the benefit of our young population.”
The event last week was part of the 30th National Children’s Month with the theme, “Kalusugan, Kaisipan, at Kapakanan Ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan, a press release from Sagay City said Monday, December 5.
Apart from the increased scholarship fund, he also highlighted the international partnership with the Australia-based International College of Advanced Education in Northern Territory with Sagay City.
He said this partnership will help Sagaynons under the scholarship program to study and work in Australia by providing assistance in skills training and fulfilling Australian visa requirements.
As the city recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the local government also vaccinated around 31,000 students ages 5 to 17 years old.
“Our Inter-Agency Task Force and health workers have done their best to protect our younger population from the clutches of the pandemic,” he said, adding that aside from vaccination, the city has provided vitamins, fresh milk, and rice allocation, and taken care the undernourished children through consistent feeding programs to every school.
Apart from these programs, Javelosa also pointed out that construction and repair of school facilities are ongoing in the city. He reported that as of the third quarter of this year, the Local School Board has implemented 14 out of 23 programs targeted for the year.
He urged everyone to pay attention to the young and devote time and effort to take care of them.
The mayor also encouraged the children of Sagay to make use of their time to study and develop their talents and skills while they continue to dream big and do their best in school, home, and their community.
The SOCA was attended by various government officials, representatives, and leaders from
the Department of Education-Sagay City Division, students and student leaders, and other stakeholders of education in the city.
Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Ne4g. Occ., 2nd District), in his speech, said that as the challenge of the pandemic is almost over, all must take precautionary measures to prevent the onslaught of diseases, especially to children.
“The theme gives emphasis to the health, the mental development, and the general welfare of every child that we need to focus our attention on as parents, government leaders, teachers, stakeholders, and children’s advocates,” he said.
Marañon said that as far as education is concerned, his office is working doubly hard to provide quality especially to financially challenged families to have the opportunity to avail of tertiary education for their children.
“Our city has a scholarship program while the 2nd District of Negros Occidental sets aside a budget for educational assistance to deserving students who comply with the requirements,” the congressman said.
Sagay City Division Head Marsette Sabbaluca also noted that Sagay is one of the cities with a Local Children’s Code that laid down all the plans and programs for the children.
The Sagay City Council for the Protection of the Children has allotted a seat for a children’s representative, she added.
The council, composed of various representatives from the city government and national government agencies, includes Daniel Enrico Chua, a grade 9 student from Sagay National High School, representing the children of Sagay.
He was elected by the student leaders of Sagay after SOCA.
Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva said it is also important that we have youth-led organizations where kids can safely develop into productive citizens of our country.
“We must have the framework where these organizations can excel and create a culture of giving and caring for others. The love of country and love for others must be ingrained in the system so that they grow knowing and loving our country,” he added.
The vice mayor also said that as the city shifts to the new normal while bringing the lessons of the pandemic, everyone must teach the kids the tools to survive, while staying kind, grounded, and resilient persons in the face of adversity.*MLG