The Surigao City government launched its month-long celebration of National Children’s Month on Monday with a series of activities focused on raising awareness on children’s rights and welfare.

Observed nationwide every November, Children’s Month commemorates the United Nations’ (UN) adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on Nov. 20, 1989 and entered into force in September 1990.

It also aligns with Republic Act No. 10661, the National Children’s Month Act, to commemorate the UN adoption of the convention and instill its significance in the Filipino consciousness.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Youth Commission are Council for the Welfare of Children are the lead agencies.

The Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education shall facilitate and encourage the commemoration of this month in all schools, public and private, nationwide.

A primary event is Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week on Nov. 18 to 22.

According to a statement from the city Public Information Office, the initiative includes a capacity development training on children’s laws for key community stakeholders.

There will also be a Children’s Congress on Nov. 22, where a child representative will be elected to serve as city official for a day.

The “Blue Biyernes Para Sa Bata” campaign, meanwhile, encourages residents to wear blue in all Fridays of November to show solidarity with child protection efforts. (PNA)