Children first, say child advocates

If numbers is a reflection of  love, the Philippines should be a nation that loves children.

Media practitioners and journalism students look into samples of stories on children.

“But think again,” Frank Rivera, executive director of the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT) said.  Rivera said that it is ironic that child protection is a right that is oftentimes overlooked in this country, which is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

There are more than 31 million Filipino children, comprising 31 percent of the country's total population of  over 101 million. But many of these children suffer violation of their rights.

This was one of the topics discussed during a seminar-workshop in Baguio City that included child abuse in schools and media reportage on children.

The participants, mostly composed of local media practitioners and journalism students, expressed concern over the growing number of working children in the country, now numbering about four million. This includes 2.4 million child laborers, who are exposed to life-threatening work environments and risky situations, such as manufacturing plants and factories. 

"Children live in constant fear.  Adults should protect them from any harm," May Anne Cacdac, assistant editor of Sun.Star Baguio said.  She said that children should play, be in school and allowed to grow.

Statistics show most of the child laborers are between five to seventeen years old. They are seen working in mining, agriculture, fishing, construction and domestic labor and prostitution, which are considered hazardous by the International Labor Organization (ILO).  

The ILO specifically cited that children engaged in slavery, armed conflict, commercial sexual exploitation and illegal industries are the worst forms of child labor.  "These are unacceptable and should therefore be denounced," Giovanni Soledad, ILO program manager said.  

In the 2001 Survey on Children, Quezon Province had the largest incidence of child labor.  “We see a lot of child laborers in the agriculture sector.”  He said that the updated survey will be released in 2012.

Soledad meanwhile clarified the difference between child labor and child work, saying "child work has the four key elements namely, survival, protection, participation and development”.  The Philippines needs to reduce the incidence of child labor by 75 percent  by 2016 as part of the universal goal of its total elimination. “It is possible,” he said.

A child, as defined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is anyone from zero to 17 years of age or below 18. 

“There are lots of violations,” Leonardo Reynoso, DSWD regional director said.  He referred to the laws, policies and instruments that secure the best interests of the child “whose rights are constantly violated”.

"Media have some lapses too in reporting," said Kathleen Okubo, chapter president of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).  She said that the Code of Ethics and guidelines in reporting on children are sometimes forgotten.  “While we operate on trust, journalists however should put greater emphasis on sensitivity in reporting children’s cases and issues.”

“Write stories raising public awareness and mobilizing public support for their survival, development and protection, as well as their participation in creating an environment in which they are protected from information, data and images that promote sex, violence, discrimination, conflict, vices, and the use of illegal drugs and substances,” says a provision in the PPI Guidelines in Reporting on Children.

Elnora Cueto, publisher of Lucena Herald and trustee of the Philippine Press Institute said that her organization always stresses ethics in all its seminars and workshops.  “I don’t think there was ever a time that we did not talk about it,” she said.

Cueto said that stories of journalists can change lives and should therefore be dealt with utmost sensitivity especially when they are about children.

Salmah Dipatuan, a senior journalism student at the University of Baguio said  that it is a challenge for the journalist and the general public to protect and empower them.  “I think we all have a responsibility to take care of children.”

The National Council for Children's Television is pleased to know that scriptwriters of teleserye are now more sensitive in tackling issues on children in their programs. 

In an interview with a local television station, Frank Rivera said that NCCT is keeping a close watch on television programs. "We need to stress good viewing habits.  Parents play a vital role in choosing what television programs are best for their kids." 

General Santos City will be the venue for the next seminar-workshop on child protection for its media practitioners in November 2011.