SYMBOLIC BABIES. Sunrey Abenales from Catarman in Nothern Samar, one of the six 100-millionth symbolic babies in Eastern Visayas, with his mother and officials of the Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) during his 6th birthday celebration on Monday (July 27, 2019). The region’s six symbolic babies received cash incentives and grocery items from PopCom. (Photo courtesy of Northern Samar provincial government)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) in Eastern Visayas on Monday marked the sixth birthday of the region’s six 100-millionth symbolic babies, highlighting the children’s need for proper health and education.
PopCom Eastern Visayas Director Elnora Pulma said they continuously monitor the status of these children as a reiteration of the agency’s advocacy through the years that every child should be born wanted, and basic rights on social services, such as health and education, are ensured for the child’s total development.
"The birth of these symbolic babies in 2014 was considered a demographic event, which was an institutional reality check that the country was then registering a 100-million population record," Pulma said in a phone interview.
The region’s six symbolic babies are Rian Go of Tacloban City; Miller Josh Tondo of Tanauan in Leyte; Blair Catalea Balabis of San Juan in Southern Leyte; Sunrey Abenales of Catarman in Northern Samar; Jody Cervantes of Borongan City in Eastern Samar; and Joven Rey Arsenio of Catbalogan City in Samar.
All of them received PHP 5,000 cash incentive and grocery items from PopCom, Pulma added.
This year’s birthday of the 100-millionth babies, carries the theme "Bigyang Halaga Ang Bawat Pinoy sa Pag-unlad, Ngayon at Bukas. Sa Ikaanim na Taon, Siguraduhin ang kanyang Kalusugan at Edukasyon".
Parents of the six children thanked the government for the basic social services, particularly in health and nutrition, provided for their children as they grow.
However, they expressed concern about how they can cope with the challenge of providing them the proper education under the "new normal", as these symbolic kids will be entering grade school when classes open this year.
“I hope that the government will provide parents a very doable option where the kids can really learn and be educated considering that they are just starting their formal education," said Romnick Go, father of the 100-millionth symbolic baby in this city.
PopCom assured continued support for the symbolic babies and their respective families in the coming years.
Pulma said the birth of these babies six years ago called for paying proactive attention to the importance of maternal and neonatal health, as well as promote responsible parenthood and family planning among Filipino families.
It was also seen as a challenge to the Philippines as its socio-economic and political situation struggle to give the citizenry a better quality of life, she added. (PNA)
