Day-Care Workers Told: Protect Children from Exploitation

Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, in a speech, told more than 300 day care workers to exert maximum efforts in guarding a child’s untimely exposure against violent content found in social media during the 2nd Provincial Day Care Workers Week celebration on June 7.

Childcare workers, Magpale said, are considered as second parents with enormous responsibility in early childhood development, protecting children from exploitation and immoral influences obtained from the use of modern technology.

“Isip ikaduhang ginikanan, gikinahanglan ang pag-giya sa mga kabataan, tungod kay kuyaw nga ma-expose sila sa mga violent or sexual content nga available sa mga gadgets kay wala pa silay igong kahibalo sa moralida – unsay sakto o sayop, unsay desente or hilas,” said Magpale.

Magpale, who co-chairs the Provincial Women’s Commission and the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children, expressed surprise over a child’s capacity to identify sex toy or those that resembles human genital designed to facilitate human sexual pleasure.

“I was shocked that a child can already identify those sex toys presented in court,” said Magpale as she narrated her experience during a court hearing over a cyber-pornography case.

Early childhood care and development, according to the vice governor, is the most crucial stage in human growth and is the best time to make them mature and responsible.

“Karon ang mga kabataan maayo na kaayong mokuri-kuri og mga electronic games diha sa mga hi-tech gadgets sama sa computer, iPods ug cellphone, maoy dakong impluwensiya sa atong kabatan-onan karon,” she said.

Aside from asking day care workers to be vigilant for possible victims in their ward, Magpale also emphasized the welfare workers’ role in molding the children’s talents.

“Kinahanglan pud nga inyo silang dasigon sa pagkaplag ug pagpalambo sa ilang mga talent,” Magpale said.

Bearing the theme: “Sa Dekalidad nga Child Development Worker, Bata ang Panalo”, the week-long celebration gathered resource speakers that include Darlynn Remolimo, assistant regional director of Population Commission (PopCom) 7, who discussed about responsible parenthood and family planning; and Ma. Iris Andrino, Executive Director of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc (Rafi) Dolores Aboitiz Children’s Fund (DACF) who highlighted the important features of child development services.

Grace Yana of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 also shared information on the Magna Carta of Day Care Workers.

cebu.gov.ph