Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim delivers his speech during the launch of the Regional Action Plan for Children (RPAC) at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC), Bangsamoro Government Center (BGC), Cotabato City on November 4, 2024. (Hamdan Badrudin/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—With the recent launch of the Regional Plan of Action for Children (RPAC) in the Bangsamoro region, the autonomous regional government is strengthening its commitment to safeguarding children’s rights.
The RPAC aims to create an enabling environment in the promotion, protection, and fulfillment of the rights of all children, particularly the marginalized and disadvantaged, spearheaded by the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) through the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC)—a committee comprised of various BARMM ministries, offices, and agencies (MOAs), which collaboratively work in advancing children’s rights.
“This comprehensive framework is designed to address the unique needs and challenges faced by children in our region,” said Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim during the RPAC launch on Nov. 4, at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC) in this city.
CM Ebrahim stated that the framework arose from several years of child protection issues and violence, which prompted the materialization of the RPAN.
The five-year plan features children’s rights, particularly highlighting survival, protection, development, participation, and living in a safe and climate-resilient environment.
Ebrahim stated that the interventions centered on children’s well-being are pursuant to the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL)—the law that created the BARMM—further emphasizing the ‘breaking of cycles to jeopardize the children’s future’ in navigating through transition and self-determination.
“They (children) represent not just the leaders of tomorrow but the very hope of our nation today. Therefore, it is our utmost duty to provide them with a safe space to thrive, free from fear and harm,” he continued.
The Chief Minister urged the Government of the Day, partners and stakeholders, and the Bangsamoro people, as a whole, to jointly work on raising awareness, promoting education, and facilitating dialogues on child protection to uplift the latter’s lives in the autonomous region.
In accordance with the nationwide observance of National Children’s Month under Republic Act No. 10661 s. 2015, the launch aligned with the celebration of Bangsamoro Children’s Month, which carries the theme “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Bangsamoro!”
Focusing on the self-sustaining and inclusive development of the Bangsamoro children and other vulnerable sectors is the 12th priority agenda of CM Ebrahim. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
