LEARNERS. Learners of a Child Development Center in the Municipality of Pandan show their drawings in this undated photo. Antique Vice Governor Edgar Denosta said the provincial government invested more in children for their education, protection, health, and well-being.
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The province of Antique has become safer, and the quality of life for children has improved significantly due to various interventions by the provincial government and stakeholders in the past year.
Vice Governor Edgar Denosta highlighted one of the notable developments that has positively impacted 222,688 children aged one to 17 in the province.
“The provincial government has been increasing investments in children, focusing on their education and protection, as well as their health and overall well-being,” stated Denosta.
Education
There has been a notable improvement in the quality of education, particularly for children aged zero to four-and-a-half years. A total of 714 child development workers (CDWs) received training in session planning and acquired knowledge about the framework of the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) curriculum. All 668 child development centers (CDC) in Antique are now equipped, and they are prepared for recognition by the ECCD council in the coming year.
Carla Jee-Ann Cabigunda, Social Welfare and Development (SWD) Officer II, emphasized, “The CDWs are now ready for accreditation after they had undergone training by the ECCD Council to improve their standard of service among children.”
Currently, CDCs in the province cater to 21,437 learners. Additionally, 100 children are beneficiaries of the Strategic Helpdesks for Information, Education, and Livelihood, and other Developmental Interventions (SHIELD) program, receiving PHP3,000 quarterly educational support to encourage school attendance.
Protection
The Antique Provincial Police Office (APPO) revitalized “Oplan Bambino,” educating children about the concepts of “good touch and bad touch” to safeguard themselves from potential exploitation. In the current year, APPO conducted 145 lectures, reaching out to 2,504 pupils from 103 selected elementary schools in the province.
In efforts to protect children from the drug menace, the APPO worked towards declaring 588 barangays as drug-cleared, with only two awaiting certification.
Health and Well-being
The Antique Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) reported an enhancement in the health and well-being of children in the province through various programs, including dietary supplementation, salt-iodization, and mandatory food fortification.
The results of the annual IPHO-Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC) Operation Timbang for zero-23 months children indicated positive outcomes, with 94.16 percent having normal weight, 1.48 percent overweight, 3.46 percent underweight, and 0.91 percent severely underweight.
Josephine Morano, PNC focal person, stated, “The nutritional status of children continues to improve in Antique because of the programs we have implemented.”
Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao acknowledged the united support of Antiqueños, paving the way for a peaceful environment and progress in the province despite challenges such as calamities and accidents. Cadiao expressed optimism for a brighter 2024 based on the achievements of 2023. (PNA)
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