Manila - In an effort to educate the public on
how to select candidates who will stand up and fight for the rights of
children, ‘Bata Muna’ campaigners presented a checklist of a
pro-children candidate for the upcoming 2013 national elections during the
concert held yesterday, 27 April 2013 in Quezon City.
In the checklist, a pro-children candidate must have a
concrete platform that advances the rights of children especially the most
vulnerable children; already stood up for children and their rights and
continues to do so; value children’s involvement and participation; one who
thinks and acts independently for the good of the majority especially of
children; not corrupt; has not violated any children and human rights; and must
be progressive – one who thinks of the present and the future generations.
The “Bata Muna: Bomoto para sa Kapakanan ng mga
Bata” campaign seeks to put children in the center of the coming
elections. Early this month, the Bata Muna Caravan was launched
and gave children spokespeople from organized children’s groups the chance to
personally talk to candidates and share their priority issues surrounding
access to education, safety and welfare of children, access to sexual and
reproductive health education and services, and children’s participation.
Unfortunately only 9 candidates and partylists granted the
dialogue out of 36 Manila-based candidates who were sent invites. This included
Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III, Greco Belgica, Paolo
Benigno ‘Bam’ Aquino IV and Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, and partylists Kabataan,
Akap Bata, Bagong Henerasyon and Akbayan Citizens Action.
Bata Muna, which is composed of more than 30
children’s organizations and networks nationwide are thankful to the candidates
who faced them. “While all the issues of children are not totally
supported by the candidates we visited, we are grateful that they listened to
the children,” said Deborah Carmina Sarmiento, Save the Children Policy
Advocacy Manager.
“It was a learning experience and a great opportunity for
the children to learn and somehow be involved in an electoral exercise, even if
they still cannot vote and choose their candidates,” she added. (with report by
Becky D. de Asis)
According to Sarmiento, the Bata Muna campaign will
continue reaching out to candidates who do not have the same views on their
advocacies. “At least, the candidates who faced us gave us the
opportunity to understand where they are coming from. We see this as an
opportunity to continue dialoguing with them,” she explained.
Bata Muna campaign activities are being held
nationwide, most recently in Bicol and Sarangani where children voiced out
their issues during caravans and media briefings.
The concert dubbed “Sa Mayo 13, Bata Muna!”
organized by the Children talk to Children About the UN CRC (C2C) Project, a
project being supported by Save the Children, which gathered more than 1,000
people presented Bata Muna’s checklist of a pro-children candidate and
the children’s agenda on child protection, health, education, poverty and
participation and the views of senatorial candidates’ and partylists on these
issues through songs and dance numbers.
It featured local bands Soapdish, UNICA, Silent Sanctuary,
Parada, Nyte in Tunesia, and Bata Muna’s very own Zone One Band. ENDS
Bata Muna is a nationwide campaign aimed at advancing
children’s issues in the heart of electoral discussions in the 2013 National
Elections. It is jointly organized by Save the Children, Samahan ng
Mamamayan – Zone One Tondo Organization (ZOTO), Children Talk to Children (C2C)
about the UN CRC Project children’s organizations AKKAP, AYM, CYO and YMETCO,
Plan International, Asia ACTs, WomanHealth Philippines, ChildFund, Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and
Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD), Caraga Emergency Response Group (CERG),
Mindanao Action Group for Children’s Rights and Protection (MAGCRP), Mindanao
Emergency Response Network (MERN), World Vision, Intervida Philippines
Foundation (Intervida), Cebu Court Appointed Special Advocates /Guardian Ad
Litem (CASA/GAL)Volunteers Association Inc., Inclusive Education Network
Chapter (IEN), Philippines Against Child Trafficking (PACT), Lingap
Pangkabataan Inc., Angels of Peace Academy Foundation Inc., Open Heart
Foundation, NGO Coalition, ERDA, ChildHope Asia Philippines, Reina Federation,
Families and Children for Empowerment and Development (FCED) Foundation Inc.,
and Yakap sa Kaunlaran ng Bata Inc.
