STATE OF THE CHILDREN’S REPORT 2020

 

Republic of the Philippines

PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN

Municipality of Bayambang

Office of the Mayor

 

STATE OF THE CHILDREN’S REPORT

OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAYAMBANG, PANGASINAN

YEAR 2020

 

INTRODUCTION

In the Revolution against Poverty of the Municipality of Bayambang, children are amongst the most important sectors as they are the ones who will inherit the results of the current efforts of the Local Government Unit. However, aside from being the most important, children are also considered one the most vulnerable as they still need the support and guidance of the people around them. This has led to countless and continuous efforts of the LGU to ensure that they get proper nutrition and support from conception to birth to their education.

LGU-Bayambang sees to it that Section II, par. a, b, and d of “The Children Code of the Municipality of Bayambang, Province of Pangasinan,” which states that it is the declared policy of the Municipality of Bayambang “to effectively promote, fully enhance and institutionalize the survival, protection, development and participation of children [and protect their rights] within the framework of advancing in general the furtherance of integrated, sustainable and equitable development,” is observed and adhered to. Various offices and agencies converge to safeguard the safety and guarantee the right to proper health, nutrition, protection, education, and leisure of young Bayambangueños (0-17 years old) especially those under 7 years of age.

 

SURVIVAL

• Immunization Program

The Rural Health Units I, II, and III reported the following numbers of children fully immunized with these vaccines in 2020: BCG (897), FIC (806), OPV3 (1,692), MCVI (2,178), PENTA3 (1,598), and Hepa B1 (666). This is to strengthen and increase their survival capacity in view of the increasing pressures of daily life. Likewise, mothers of these children have been provided with supplementary vitamins and needed vaccinations during prenatal check-ups to sustain their capacity to take care of their children.

• Measles, Rubella, Oral Polio Supplemental Immunization Program

The RHU I and II have exceeded their target of 95% in the Measles, Rubella, and Oral Polio Supplemental Immunization Program implemented from October 26 to November 25, 2020, with 11,518 children below 5 years of age vaccinated for measles and rubella and 13,192 vaccinated for oral polio virus, thus attaining a 104.31% and 102% vaccination rate, respectively.  

• Operation Timbang Plus OPT)

In January to March 2020, during the monthly Operation Timbang, RHU I, II, and III conducted barangay check-ups including laboratory exams and nutritional assessment and provision of necessary medicines and multivitamins for 7,863 malnourished children.

Additionally, during the first quarter, some 11,869 0-59 month-old children in 77 barangays (based on the OPT data of 2020) were regularly monitored by Barangay Nutrition Scholars and Barangay Health Workers for weight and height to determine their nutritional status by getting their weight, length or height.

• Vitamin A Supplementation

Vitamin A supplementation is given every April and October. RHU I gave vitamin A supplementation in April to 789 (104%) 1-4 year old and 6,031 (97%) 5-9 year old children, and in October to 636 children (92%) 6-11 months old and 5,516 children (96%) 12-59 months old. RHU II and III gave vitamin A supplementation in April to 569 (107%) children 6-11 months old, and 4370 (97%) children 12-59 months old. In October, vitamin A supplementation was given to 556 (104%) children 6-11 months of age and 4,274 (95%) children 12-59 months of age. A grand total of 10,982 children were covered.

• Deworming and Iron Supplementation

In designated months of the year, deworming and iron supplementation are conducted for children of various ages. In August, RHU I dewormed 6,539 (102%) 1-4 year olds, 2,236 (28%) 5-9 year olds, and 960 (6%) 10-19 year olds, with a total of 9,555 children 1 to 19 years of age. In January and July, RHU II and III dewormed 5,494 (January) and 6,676 (July) children 1 to 19 years old. A total of 21,725 children 1 to 19 years of age were dewormed.

In RHU II and III, vitamin A supplementation was provided to 569 (107%) 6-11 month olds and 4,370 (97%) 12-59 month olds in April and 556 (104%) 6-11 month olds and 4,274 (95%) 12-59 month olds in October.

• Fluoridization/Oral Health Education

We believe that in the area of dental health, prevention is better than cure. On August 3, the RHU I, II, and III started a series of activities including topical fluoride application, toothbrushing drill, and oral health education for the youth. The dentists of RHU and DOH went throughout the different barangays under their catchment area to serve those who were ages 6 to 21. They also conducted oral health education at the Pugo Evacuation Center.

• Medical Mission

The medical mission held in January 28-31, 2020 with the help of the Philippine Medical Association in Chicago (PMAC) and other groups also had children as beneficiaries, whether for general check-up, minor or major surgery, including dental surgery and eye operations. Most notable were the 9 children with strabismus and other eye abnormalities who were operated on for free, saving one of their eyes from blindness.

• Komprehensibong Serbisyo sa Bayan

The same is true with Komprehensibong Serbisyo sa Bayan, the municipal government’s outreach program in the outlying barangays. This particular program, which includes a host of medical and non-medical services, has routinely served children, including free circumcision for prepubescent boys, tooth-brushing drill, feeding activity, and the usual general medical services, including giveaways of toothbrush, toothpaste, vitamins, and medicine. This would have continued smoothly if it were not for the restrictive conditions brought about by the pandemic.

• Mayor’s Action Center Services for Emergency Situations/Special Cases

The Mayor’s Action Center has also extended help to children in emergency situations, such as serious burn and medical conditions that require hospitalization in Manila and even abroad.

• Nutrition Office’s 90-Day Supplemental Feeding Program for Pregnant Women

To prevent low birth weight and stunting among 2-year-old children, the Municipal Nutrition Action Office together with the RHUs also held a 90-Day Supplemental Feeding Program for Pregnant Women in 77 barangays from July 29-October 26, 2020, with 1281 beneficiaries wherein 92% of babies born by the pregnant beneficiaries had normal birthweights during and after the course of the program. Feeding supplies included eggs, fresh milk, rice, oil, iodized salt, monggo (mung beans) and dilis (anchovies). This was funded by the National Nutrition Council, while the LGU implemented and monitored the project.

• STAC Kids Receive Help Anew from Victory Church

On June 27, 2020, the Victory Christian Fellowship Church of Bayambang again coordinated with the MSWDO to extend help to the members of Stimulation Therapeutic Activity Center (STAC) of Bayambang. Victory Church distributed food packs, fruits, and vitamins (sourced from the Nutrition Office) to 46 children with disability who were enrolled in STAC-Bayambang. The church group was unable to give the usual set of activities due to the imposed restrictions during the pandemic.

On September 2, 2020, a birthday celebrant of the Victory Christian Fellowship of Bayambang, celebrated her birthday by giving homemade banana loaves and yogurt to 46 children with disability (CWD) enrolled in STAC-Bayambang. They were assisted by MSWDO-STAC in the house-to-house distribution.

On October 20, 2020, Ms. Yvonne Bautista celebrated her birthday by giving food packs, hygiene kit and school supplies to 68 CWDs.

• NGOs Give Toys and Other Goodies to CWDs

On Christmas Day, local conducted a gift-giving activity for children with disability, including enrollees at the Stimulation Therapeutic Activity Center. It was a brainchild of the Bayambang Municipal Association of Non-Governmental Organizations Inc. (MANGOs) President Vilma Q. Dalope, which was supported by Reaction 166-Animal Kingdom Base Radio Communication Group Inc., Xtreme Riders Club Pangasinan Inc., and Bayambang Bayanihan Lions Club International. The CWDs received used toys and a fastfood treat.

• Nutrition Month 2020 Celebration

In July, the Nutrition Month 2020 was celebrated with the theme, “Batang Pinoy, Sana Tall. Iwas Stunting, Sama All; Iwas All din sa COVID-19.” As part of the celebration, the activities included a Buntis Forum, Nutri-Vlogging Contest, and Vertical Pallet Garden Contest to heighten public awareness on stunting and how to avoid it through proper nutrition.

• LGU Distributes Donated Fresh Milk

On August 28, 2020, LGU-Bayambang received fresh milk and white cheese donated by General Francisco Bravo from the Bravo Dairy Cooperative in San Nicolas, Pangasinan. Almost 600 tetrapaks of fresh milk and 70 cups of white cheese were given to underweight and stunted day care pupils under the Bayambang Child Development Workers and distributed by the MSWDO and the Nutrition Section

•  Relief Packs for PWD Children

On April 22, as part of the LGU’s anti-COVID-19 response, the MSWDO distributed relief packs to persons with disability (PWDs) in different barangays. The beneficiaries included children who were listed as PWDs.

•  Supplemental Feeding Program for Malnourished Children

The Nutrition Office launched DSWD’s Supplementary Feeding Program, to help 1,000 malnourished children be restored to health. 4,000 packs of ingredients for nutritious meals were distributed to help ease the burden of deprived families during the community quarantine.

•  DSWD Supplemental Feeding Program in CDCs

Through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), the LGU has provided supplemental feeding to 2,902 preschool children enrolled at 73 Child Development Centers (CDCs). Under MSWDO’s supervision, the Barangay Child Development Workers (CDWs), together with the Barangay Council, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, Barangay Health Workers and Day Care Parents Organization worked hand in hand in distributing food packs from the DSWD.

• Fresh Fruits for Quarantined Kids

The Nutrition Office, with the help of MDRRMO, distributed fresh fruits for several weeks for children who were kept in the Community Isolation Facility after they were found to have contacted a COVID-19-positive patient.

The RHUs also gave multivitamins to all children at the Pugo Community Quarantine Facility (26 children) and San Gabriel 1st  Isolation Facility (40 children).

With this supplementation, the children were provided with the vitamins and minerals they needed in order to avoid nutritional deficiency and boost their immune system while on quarantine.

• Local Farmers’ Harvest as Relief Goods for Vulnerable Children under Monitoring

Relief food packs were distributed in the 77 barangays for those considered by the Nutrition Office as “vulnerable children.” Only nutritious relief goods were distributed, and these were from the fruit and vegetable harvests of the local farmers, with the help of the MAO using the fund of the MDRRM Council. The local government bought such products for a double purpose: to provide nutritious food to vulnerable population while providing extra income for the farmers during lockdown and quarantine caused by the pandemic. Each food pack reserved for a child contained freshly harvested pumpkin, eggplant, tomatoes, horseradish, and melon or honeydew. It also contained a dozen of eggs.

·       Virtual Learning: Healthy Young Ones

In October 2020, RHU II and III conducted a virtual learning version of the health educational series, “Healthy Young Ones,” which included topics such as HIV, mental health awareness, and sexual orientation and gender identity expression (SOGIE) for 14 to 19 year-old teens, to address the increasing rate of teenage pregnancy, incidence of HIV infection, and depression during the pandemic. The participants were teens enrolled in school as well as out-of-school youth, together totaling 76 individuals.   

 

 

DEVELOPMENT

• Maintenance of Child Development Centers (CDCs)

Through the MSWDO, the Municipality has maintained the 73 CDCs wherein preschool children 3-4 years of age were enrolled. These 73 CDCs are operated by Child Development Workers (CDWs) being trained jointly by the DSWD Field Office I, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Bayambang MSWDO. These CDWs are being monitored and supervised by the MSWD Officer in line with the effective implementation of the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Program of the DSWD. Through the ECCD Program, the education, health and nutrition status of the pre-schoolers enrolled at the different CDCs are being monitored.  

• CDC and CDW Accreditation

73 of the CDCs and 17 CDWs were accredited by the DSWD on October 1-4, 2019, 17 of which have complied totally with DSWD standards and were given accreditation certificates. Those who did not attain 100% compliance were given the chance to learn and enhance their knowledge in the proper maintenance of DCCs and in meeting the objectives of the ECCD Programs.

The modes of support by the LGU in the operation of the CDWs come in the form of providing facilities like monobloc chairs and tables, repair of the CDCs and incentives for CDWs in the form of quarterly cash incentive in addition to the monthly honorarium provided through the barangay IRA, and clothing allowance through the MSWDO’s regular budget being allocated for children’s welfare. In the barangays, 1% of the budget goes to the Children’s Welfare Fund, which may be spent on books or other items beneficial to them.

• Maintenance of STAC

Another program being maintained is the operation of the Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center (STAC) where 46 children with disability are enrolled for special education (SPED) and physical therapy (PT), specifically 24 in SPED and 22 in PT; 22 of STAC members are in school. Some of the programs being implemented are hydrotherapy, social enhancement activities, provision of assistive devices, etc.

•    SEF Expenditure

Our Special Education Fund (SEF) for 2020 is worth P5,000,000, and this amount includes my salary for one year. So far, the expenditure has only reached up to P943,354.42. The budget for SEF will be spent for our students’ educational needs in the new normal such as printers and laptops (District I), and construction materials for handwashing facilities (District II).

• Free School Supplies for Public Schools

As in the previous years, school supplies procured by the LGU from the P6M Children’s Welfare Fund were distributed by the Local School Board, with the help of the MDRRMO and General Services Office, to DCCs and all public elementary schools in Bayambang: 71,152 notebooks, 14,353 pad papers, 7,816 pencils, 10,122 ballpens, 18,086 school bags, and 17,788 umbrellas. The distribution started on July 19 and included all 50 public elementary schools in Bayambang as recipients. This is a concrete proof of our belief that education remains the real key to stamp out poverty in our municipality.

•   Engineering Office Construction Projects

On top of the aforementioned handwashing facilities, the Engineering Office had construction projects that directly benefited the education sector: the Administration Office Bldg. of the Bayambang National High School’s Senior High School Department and the Ataynan Elementary School Access Road.

• Distribution of Free Slippers at Macayocayo Elementary School

On March 2, the Bayambang Poverty Reduction Action Team (BPRAT) distributed free slippers at Macayocayo Elementary School. The slippers were proceeds from the Padyak Laban sa Kahirapan bicycle fun ride held on August 28, 2019 by the BPRAT in commemoration of the second anniversary of the Rebolusyon Laban sa Kahirapan.

• Honesty Store Project

Our Honesty Store project continued to thrive in 10 selected elementary schools and high schools to inculcate among our children the culture of honesty at a young age in place of the culture of corruption. They would have been operational if not for the closure of the schools in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Community-Based Literacy Program 

In 2020, due to the pandemic, we could not continue the Community-Based Literacy Program which was aimed at helping local youth grappling with difficulty in reading to enhance their skills, with the help of the Pangasinan State University-Bayambang Campus and volunteer teachers from the Department of Education. In this project, there were 11 students and 38 volunteer teachers involved.

• Community-Based Distant Learning Enhancement Program

However, we launched a brand-new program and we went big with it. The BPRAT on October 26, 2020 launched at Inanlorenza Covered Court the Community-Based Distant Learning Enhancement Program to provide extra assistance to Grades 7, 8, 9 and 10 students during the pandemic through face-to-face learning in a well-ventilated venue such as covered court to ensure physical distancing.

I believe that face-to-face learning is still the most effective modality of teaching our children, not its online equivalent, thus this proposed intervention, which was agreed upon by all the stakeholders: parents, Department of Education (DepEd) (Bayambang National High School and Tanolong National High School officials and teachers, Public Schools District Superintendents), Pangasinan State University-Bayambang College of Education, and barangay councils.

There was an enhancement program in English, Math, and Science every Wednesday and Friday using the educational video created by BPRAT based on the write-up of selected content creators from DepEd and evaluators from Pangasinan State University-Bayambang College of Education. The videos used were designed so that they were not a duplication of learning materials from DepEd, and that they were localized and contextualized to make it easier for the students to relate to the lessons.

Five video editors and six teachers were hired as Job Order employees especially for this purpose.

BPRAT is scheduled to monitor the program to make sure it is an effective adjunct to learning among local youth.

•    Municipal Library Services; Subscription to World Book Online

The Municipal Library continues to cater to clients, many of whom are children. There is even a reading area section at the ground floor specially reserved for small kids.

With our full support, the Bayambang Municipal Library became the first municipal library in the Philippines to subscribe to World Book Online. Local teachers and students, and even our LGU employees, now have free access to a wealth of reference materials that cannot be easily accessed elsewhere.

•    LGU Distributes Wifi Routers Donated by Smart-PLDT to DepEd Bayambang I & II

On July 9, Smart-PLDT Communications donated 50 portable wifi routers to selected schools and Sangguniang Kabataan Councils, thanks to the initiative of Councilor Benjamin Francisco de Vera, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, and Local Youth Development Office. The SK officials in turn offered the free wifi connection to students for their online learning.

• Books for the CDCs

On November 20, the MSWDO, using funds from the Mayor's Office, distributed reference materials, including children's story books, for all CDCs of Bayambang. Although the new preferred mode of learning has been the modular route, the books could still be used through video or virtual storytelling for our child development learners.

On top of this, the Kasama Kita sa Barangay Foundation Inc. (KKSBFI) donated additional books, which, of course, is a major boost to this project.

•    PESO Services for OFW’s Children

The Public Employment Services Office has helped process the application for scholarship assistance offered by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) or DOLE in a joint agreement with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and DepEd for a number of children of overseas Filipino workers who hail from Bayambang.

The other forms of assistance from PESO have not been implemented this year due to the pandemic: assistance in processing applications for DOLE’s Summer Program for Employment of Students and tie-up with DepEd for on-the-job trainings for students.

•    Smart Classrooms in PSU

KKSBFI also donated 6 smart TVs to PSU-Bayambang Campus in order to come up with 6 smart classrooms in PSU Bayambang. Smart TVs make learning more interactive and thus engaging.

•    Other Forms of Educational Assistance

My office has donated 4 Risograph machines and 13,000 reams of newsprint paper for use in printing modules.

•    Modern Mini-Amusement Park

A concrete proof of the municipality’s warm regard for its youngest members is the Mini-Amusement Park at the Public Plaza consisting of a train ride, mini-Ferris wheel, carousel, and modern playground with the usual set of amenities. Opened in December 2017, these fun rides became operational since then, initially for free, then later on with the major rides being availed of for a fee of P30, but only in order to make the operations self-sufficient.

Unfortunately, the Mini-Amusement Park had to stop operations since the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020.

 

PROTECTION

•  PNP VAWC Desk

As mandated by law, the Bayambang Municipal Police Station maintains an official Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Desk, and every barangay also has a designated officer to man the VAWC desk.

•  PNP Campus Desk

For the security of our students, we designated a PNP desk located near the gate of PSU-Bayambang.

POSO personnel are also assigned at Bonifacio St. and Magsaysay Ave. where many students cross the streets coming from their school and on their way home.

• Virtual NSED 2020

On September 10 and November 27, Bayambang MDRRMO facilitated the conduct of a Virtual Tabletop Exercise as part of Bayambang’s participation in the 3rd and 4^th Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill 2020 in place of the actual drill due to the quarantine restrictions.

• LCPC

We have an active Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) which helps us in policy-making and monitoring, thus giving our overall plans for our youth a clear direction, with participation from the private sector, as well as a body that will assure that the projects lined up are being implemented.

• LCR Services

As legal protection of sorts, the Municipal Civil Registry routinely processes the birth certificates of newborn children for timely registration and works on late registrations as well, so children of all ages will grow up having a legal identity that will serve them for various purposes throughout their lives till adulthood.

• Legislations for Children

The enactment by the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of this Municipality of “The Children Code of the Municipality of Bayambang, Province of Pangasinan,” ratified in November 2015, constituted a breakthrough legislation for the children of Bayambang.

On top of this are the following resolutions and ordinances passed by the SB of Bayambang since 2015:

Resolution No. 217, Series of 2015: “Resolution Establishing the Municipal Birthing Facility and Officially Naming It as RHU I And RHU II Birthing Facility of the Municipality of Bayambang, Province Of Pangasinan and Defining Its General Functions, Operations and Administration”

Resolution No. 218, Series of 2015: “Resolution Supporting the Establishment and Operation of the Birthing Home of the Local Government of Bayambang and Authorizing the Hon. Mayor Ricardo M. Camacho to Enter for and in Behalf of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bayambang, into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH) Hospital and Partner Health Specialist such as an Obstetrician and a Pediatrician, on the Delivery of Health Services for and in the Municipality of Bayambang”

Resolution No. 169, Series of 2017; “Authorizing the Municipal Mayor to Enter into a Memorandum of Agreement Between the Local Government Unit of Bayambang and Selected Barangays of the Municipality of Bayambang for the Program of the Municipality for the Provision of Sixty-Two (62) Weighing Scales Intended for the Nutrition Program of the Municipality”

Resolution No. 200, Series of 2017: “Resolution Promoting Advocacy to Breastfeeding to Protect and Defend the Health of Infants and Children”

Resolution No. 251, Series of 2017: “Authorizing the Municipal Mayor to Sign a Contract of Lease with Interested and Qualified Parties for the Setting Up of a Headquarter for Women and Children/LGU Bayambang Center for Women and Children”

Resolution No. 253, Series of 2017: “Resolution Promoting Advocacy to Breastfeeding and Breastfeeding Support Group to Protect and Defend the Health of Infants and Children”

Resolution No. 318, Series of 2017: “Authorizing the Local Government Unit of Bayambang Represented by Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao, Municipal Mayor, to Enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with Early Childhood Care and Development (EECD) Council Represented by Dr. Teresita G. Inciong, Vice-Chairperson and Executive Director, for the Establishment of a National Child Development Center (NCDC) in the Municipality”

Resolution No. 378, Series of 2017: “Requesting the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to Authorize the Designation and Utilization of a Portion of Wawa Evacuation Center as Half-Way Home (Silungan Center) for Mentally-Ill Patients, Homeless, Abandoned Persons, Abused Women and Children and the Like Who are Rescued by MSWDO of the Municipality of Bayambang; and a Portion of San Gabriel 1st Evacuation Center as Drug Rehabilitation Center for the Municipality of Bayambang”

Resolution No. 108, Series of 2019: “Resolution Adopting the Comprehensive Juvenile Intervention Program for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) Children at Risk (CAR) in the Municipality of Bayambang, Pangasinan”

Resolution No. 283, Series of 2019: “Accrediting the Federation of Day Care Workers and Service Provider in the Philippines, Inc., for purposes of seeking representation in the Local Special Bodies of the Municipal Government of Bayambang”

Resolution No. 384, Series of 2019: “Resolution Adopting the Republic Act No. 11148, “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act” in the Municipality of Bayambang, Pangasinan”

Resolution No. 610, Series of 2020: “Resolution Adopting the Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act (R.A. 11188) in the Municipality of Bayambang”

Resolution No. 614, Series of 2020: “Resolution Adopting the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act (RA 10821) in the Municipality of Bayambang”

Resolution No. 615, Series of 2020: “Resolution Adopting Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act of 2015 (RA 10666) in the Municipality of Bayambang”

Resolution No. 617, Series of 2020: “Resolution Adopting the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act (RA 9231) in the Municipality of Bayambang”

Municipal Ordinance No. 2, Series of 2020: “An Ordinance Establishing a Comprehensive Nutrition Program to Address Malnutrition and Sustained Programs for Nutrition for the Municipality of Bayambang, Pangasinan and Appropriating Funds Thereof”

Municipal Ordinance No. 12, Series of 2020: “Ordinance Enacting the Comprehensive Children’s Welfare Code of the Municipality of Bayambang, Pangasinan”

These pieces of legislation are an institutionalization, or a concrete manifestation, of the level of commitment of this LGU to protect and pursue the best interests of Bayambangueño children.

 

PARTICIPATION

Among the major activities in which these children participated in in 2020 were the following:

•  Bayambang Children’s Association

The Bayambang Children’s Association established by the Department of the Interior and Local Government in 2019, in coordination with the MSWDO, would have been very active in 2020 if it were not for the pandemic because a lineup of activities had been prepared with them by the MSWDO.

•  Children’s Month 2020 Celebration

The Children’s Month celebration was held on November 27 and the traditional competitions shifted online, featuring a TikTok family dance contest to replace the group dance competition, a singing competition, and Show-and-Tell, thus further providing life-enriching opportunities for the kids.

The annual State of the Children’s Address 2020 was delivered, after the children asked questions about the administration’s projects and plans for their well-being.

Part of the celebration was a tree-planting activity at Brgy. Manambong Sur, participated in by Alternative Learning System (ALS) students in coordination with the Local Youth Development Office, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO), Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President, ALS Coordinator, and Manambong Sur barangay officials.

•  Gulayan sa Paaralan

The LGU has contributed to the Gulayan sa Paaralan vegetable gardening project of the DepEd in elementary and high school and in Day Care Centers through various assistance from the Nutrition Office, MDRRMO, Agriculture Office, and Solid Waste Management Office through funding, provision of seeds/seedlings, and fertilizers.

•  Linggo ng Kabataan 2020

In August, the Local Youth Development Office (LYDO), together with the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation and BPRAT, held the Linggo ng Kabataan 2020 celebration through a cleanup drive in every barangay and poster-making and spoken poetry contests. With the theme, "Youth Engagement for Global Action,” the spirit of volunteerism in the youth sector was ignited and budding talents were affirmed.

•  SK Volunteerism Ignited during the Pandemic

At the height of the community lockdowns due to the pandemic in April, the SK officers launched a commendable community feeding drive and distribution of face masks around the town and in their own barangays.

•  BPRAT’s Painting Contest

BPRAT’s Search for the Best Balon Bayambang Painter in August with the theme “Bayambang – Where the Best Things Happen” also invited children 15 years of age and older. In this contest, the top 10 winners were commissioned to paint a portrait for the Municipal Annex Building.

•  Tourism Office’s Bayambang’s Oldest Photo Contest

In September, the Tourism Office also invited the local youth in the staging of Bayambang’s Oldest Photo Contest as part of the Tourism Week 2020 celebration, making the youth more aware of the town’s history and culture.

•  Museum Office’s Bayambang’s Oldest Document Contest

In October, the Museum Office likewise invited the local youth to join the search for Bayambang’s Oldest Document Contest as part of the Museum Month 2020 celebration, thus heightening the youth’s awareness of the richness of the town’s history and culture.

•  Tourism Office’s Poetry-Writing Contest

In November, the Municipal Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office invited the youth who were at least 15 years old to join the Poetry-Writing Contest for the celebration of SingKapital 2020 in commemoration of the declaration of General Emilio Aguinaldo of Bayambang town as the fifth capital of the First Philippine Republic. This activity instilled in the young participants the importance of commemorating local history while pushing them to hone their literary skills.

•    Library Information Services Month/National Book Week

A Library Logo contest organized by the Municipal Librarian was held on November 9-13 and invited children 15 years of age and older to be among the participants, thus urging them to explore their creativity in graphic design.

•    Musical Play

Through the Bayambang Council for Culture and the Arts, KKSBFI funded the planned staging of the musical play “Beauty and the Beast” by tapping talented local youth. The Foundation also upgraded the sound and lighting system of the Balon Bayambang Events Center for this purpose for P29M.

•    Giant Christmas Tree and Giant Lantern

In place of the annual Paskuhan sa Bayambang giant animated Christmas display, which did not push through because it would surely result in the usual crowding in the Municipal Plaza, we came up instead with other alternatives so the children would not be disappointed: a giant (40-feet) Christmas tree at the corner fronting the plaza, together with a belen and Christmas lights, and a giant parol (Pampanga lantern) at the St. Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park – all donated by the KKSBFI.

•    Pamaskong Handog 2020

The traditional annual Pamaskong Handog show on the last week of December pushed through despite the pandemic, while of course observing health protocols. Now on its 19th year, it featured music, magicians, the most popular cartoon characters, and giveaways, making Christmastime truly memorable for the little ones, especially for the Day Care and STAC pupils.

• Millennial Farmers’ Association of Bayambang

Because we are an agricultural town, it is important that our youth take up interest in farming as livelihood in order to help secure food sustainability in the long term. The Millennial Farmers’ Association of Bayambang has been established for this purpose, and although the pandemic has been a setback for this youth group, they could have started on a significant farming project because the current president of the group has volunteered his modest-sized farmland in Brgy. Hermoza in support of this project.

 

FUTURE PLANS FOR CHILDREN

This LGU has been mandated by national and local laws to institute measures for the protection and welfare of children. It is committed to initiate some more measures and initiatives to enhance their protection.

In the works is a big Water and Amusement Park in Brgy. Bani.

Also being finalized is an update of our Children Code, the "Ordinance Enacting the Comprehensive Children’s Welfare Code of the Municipality of Bayambang Pangasinan (s. 2019).”

Realizing that the Bayambangueño children comprise the next set of the new and young generation, all possible efforts shall be relentlessly undertaken to carry out such mandate. This would be easily possible because the LGU is in constant partnership with private, non-government organizations and government organizations in pursuance of such endeavor.

 

 

                                                                      Prepared and submitted by:

 

                                                                      DR. CEZAR T. QUIAMBAO

                                                                                Municipal Mayor