A Case Study of a Non-Government Organization: The Council for The Welfare of Children

A Case Study of a Non-Government Organization:

The Council for the Welfare of Children

Introduction to the Council of the Welfare of Children

The Filipino children today who live in poverty are vulnerable to many forms of abuse, violence, and neglect. Some may even lack the basic needs that their family could not provide for these children who live in the marginalized sectors of society. There are also a numerous children who live in fear and grow up in the slums or are in the midst of working in hazardous conditions. Without the knowledge of their own rights violence against these children are continuously increasing and the Council of the Welfare of Children is fabricating solutions that would help children be exercised of their own rights. The Council on the Welfare of Children was created through Presidential Decree 603, otherwise known as the Child and Youth Welfare Code in 1974 established by the former President Ferdinand E. Marcos. All children have their rights to express their opinions freely and be able to participate in decision-making. According to the CWC’s vision, this aims to “provide a dynamic leadership in ensuring a child-friendly and child-sensitive society where every child fully enjoys his/her rights.” While the council’s mission shall undertake its coordinating role for the children, while others may volunteer and may be involved in these organizations. According to the CWC booklet, they would play its role through: “coordination of implementation and enforcement of all laws relative to the promotion of children’s welfare; Formulating and advocating the implementation of policies and programs; monitoring and evaluation of policies, programs and measures for children; building strong networks, partnerships, and coordination mechanisms;  and, institution building of partners and stakeholders.” There are some plans that this study would give focus to, such as the plans the CWC established: Child-Friendly Philippines: A Caring and Protective Society for, by and with the Children; Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program; and, 1 Million Lapis Culmination Project.

Problems that hinder the development of Filipino Children

There are many challenges that are being faced by the NGOs and the government that hinders the progression for the welfare of these children. Lack of knowledge of child’s rights is not mainly because of the child’s parents; but rather it may also be a result of  the external factors that affect its inhabitants. Being aware of the problems within the society would help create solutions to a child-friendly environment. Here are some factors that may affect the overall development of a child:

Poverty

Despite economic gains and development the last few years, according to Philippines GDP grows 7% in Q2 2016; the Philippines had gained progress, but its means of advancement been slow, according to the Philippines’ Fifth Progress Report on the Millennium Development Goals. The continuous growth does not result into the translation of jobs for the parents of the Filipino children because there is still a huge unemployment rate in the Philippine Society.

Natural and Man-Made Calamities

The Philippines is prone to natural calamities particularly, typhoons, earthquakes, floods, landslides, and tsunamis. According to Dunno F. (2016) “One of the causes of this is because the Philippines underlies in the Pacific Ring of Fire which is also in the typhoon belt of the world.” These calamities, man-made or natural, negate progress and create poverty in the different regions of the Philippines. If there are no safety nets established by the government to these people then the advancement for these children would continue to decrease or slow in pace.

CWC’s Plans and Programs

The Council for the Welfare of Children aims to protect children’s welfare therefore they made plans and programs that would help promote their advocacy. They would try to provide housing, a better and ensured health, proper education, and provide a better family setting. Te programs below are plans that are being done currently by this council.

Child-Friendly Philippines:

A Caring and Protective Society for, by, and with the Children

This program advocates the children’s rights and creating awareness for these children to gain more knowledge for their own rights. They also promote the society’s culture and help create an environment that sustains child development to its beneficiaries.  The CFP-CPSC teaches the children that they are humans with dignity and should be treated with value and respect. This plan has eleven (11) essential elements:

1. Shared or collective vision for Filipino Children

As individuals of the same state, we must come hand in hand with one shared vision for the Filipino youth. As it is stated in Child 21 of CFP-CPSC that their vision is that by 2025, every child will be living in harmony and will be participants in the future’s decision-making.

2. Children’s knowledge, life skills, and effective and meaningful participation

It is important that they would have knowledge and awareness of their rights; this implies that they must be taught by teachers, parents, religious leader, and others of their opportunities in participating within the society’s plans for development. This would result where children would see themselves as agents of change and human development.

3. Loving, caring, protective and nurturing families and communities

The preamble of the CRC states that “Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding.” As it is the family as the primary social agent, we must also develop a child-friendly environment.

4. Challenging and changing societal values, attitudes, and behaviors

The traditions within the society contribute to the behavior and perception to these children. It states that it must abolish the cultural traditions that would go against children’s rights.

5. Government commitment at national and local levels

The government must be able to be flexible and bring care to the many sectors of the society that would need care for the children. Policies and programs should be implemented in order to establish a better system for these children. Not only should there be an annual budget for these children but it must also be increasing.

6. Appropriate laws enacted and consistently enforced

Creating laws that would protect these children would help address the problems more and make policies more effective over time.