GENERAL SANTOS CITY, March 24 — The provincial government of South Cotabato has linked up with the area’s business sector for the promotion of children’s welfare and ensure that they are protected from violence and various forms of abuses.
Local business leaders joined the Provincial Council on the Protection of Children (PCPC) to a child policy forum on Tuesday to properly lay down the various strategies in the promotion of children’s rights and welfare.
The gathering was supported by international child rights groups Save the Children and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-South Cotabato provincial office.
South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said they hosted the forum to properly explain to local businessmen the rights of the children, cases of abuses and actions that they could take to help protect the children.
The discussions covered various laws and policies that promote children’s rights, welfare and protection, she said.
“This is a continuing effort to really awaken the different sectors that there is a need for the observance of the law not because there’s penalty but because it is the better way of doing things,” the governor said.
Fuentes said proper awareness on the matter could eventually lead to positive and significant changes.
“If everyone is aware, there will be changes that we can expect. So we’re now focusing on that. We want everyone to be aware,” she said.
Board member Ester Marin Catorce, PCPC chairperson, said it is not only the government’s responsibility to protect the children but of the business sector as well.
On the part of the business sector, she said they have the responsibility to make sure that business establishments and companies in the province are child-friendly.
Flora Gabunales, DTI provincial director, said being a child-friendly establishment can be a marketing strategy to further entice customers or clients.
She said it could encourage people to patronize their businesses, knowing that children are safe and secure in their premises.
“For the establishments, this is not for compliance but a marketing tool and their branding or positioning,” she said.
As a result of the activity, the local business sector committed to partner with the PCPC in its initiatives.
Catorce said that by next month, local business establishments will start drafting their children’s protocol with the help of Save the Children, PCPC and DTI.
“There’s still much to be done for the promotion of children’s welfare, protection of their rights and aiding them achieve their full potentials but we’re happy that we’re moving forward,” she added. (PNA)