The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) and its partners held its third consultation on the proposed Bangsamoro Children’s Code last November, 26, 2021 via Zoom.
The consultation was actively participated by different Civil Society Groups (CSOs) advocating for children’s rights, namely: UNICEF, VSO, CBCS, Plan International, CFSI, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Save the Children, Child Fund, World Vision, Synergeia Foundation, SALIGAN Mindanaw, Pathways, Maradeca, Inc., Kadtuntaya Foundation, UnYPhil-Women, KKI, SCP, GITIB, Inc., IMAN, MMI, UYAA, Action Against Hunger, Sunflower Women, Balay Rehabilitation, Pakigdait, MAGAPAS, Lomiguis Academy, and MuCAARD TISPAD.
The consultation was conducted to present the proposed measures for the promotion, protection and fulfillment of children’s rights; to come up with recommendations on how the code will be enhanced and be effective in addressing the gaps and efficiently achieve goals for children in BARMM; and to provide updates on the current progress and next steps of the code.
During the consultation, the following were presented: brief introduction of child rights and BARMM Children’s Code and its legal frameworks, updates on the timeline of the proposed code, and the presentation of the proposed measure for the promotion and fulfillment of children’s rights.
A consultation and workshop activity was then held wherein participants were group into four categories: survival facilitated by MSSD, development by VSO, protection by UNICEF and participation by the BTA Office of MP Jajurie. Each group were asked to identify issues and concerns of children in BARMM and give their recommendations for the proposed code.
Said consultation was made possible through the following partner institutions:
– United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
– Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)
– Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS)
– BTA Office of the Deputy Majority Leader Atty. Raissa H. Jajurie
