President Aquino declares 4th week of October of every year as Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared the Fourth (4th) Week of October of each year as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week in order to emphasize the rights of every Filipino youth and child. The Chief Executive issued the declaration by virtue of Proclamation No. 489 on October 11, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail F. Valte said in an interview aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday. More details after the jump.

Section 13, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides, that “the State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs," President Aquino noted.

The Philippines is the 31st party to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN-CRC), a legally binding international instrument which establishes the minimum entitlements and freedoms of children – ranging from civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights – that should be respected by governments.

The proclamation said the enactment of Republic Act (RA) No. 9344, otherwise known as the “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006,” is an affirmation of the Philippine commitment to the obligations enshrined in the UN-CRC.

"The Filipino people should celebrate and recognize the Filipino children and youth as the most valuable asset of the nation," the proclamation stressed.

"There is a need to mainstream awareness and consciousness of the Filipino people on the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act in order to emphasize the rights of every Filipino youth and child, including children-at-risk and in conflict with the law, their role in nation-building, and the responsibilities of all duty bearers and stakeholders in ensuring the protection and promoting the welfare of the Filipino youth and children," it said.

The proclamation further said that Presidential Proclamation No. 267 (s. 1993) designates the month of October as the National Children’s Month to underscore the importance of the role of the child within the Filipino family and in the context of the greater Philippine society.

The President subsequently declared the fourth (4th) week of October of each year as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week, in conjunction with the annual celebration of October as the National Children’s Month by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 267 (s. 1993).

All Departments, Agencies, and Instrumentalities of the National Government, State Universities and Colleges, Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporations and Local Government Units, with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council as lead implementing agency, are hereby enjoined to support and extend the necessary assistance in the observance of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week.

Source: Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)

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