By Azer Parrocha – PNA
MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday vowed to ensure the safety of the Filipino youth from threats to their safety and well-being amid his administration’s ongoing war on criminality and illegal drugs.
Duterte made this promise during the awarding ceremony of the 2017 Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities (PACFMC) at the Heroes Hall in Malacañan Palace.
“As our children, our country’s future, be assured that the administration will do everything to protect them from violence, abuse, criminality, illegal drugs, and other threats to their safety and well-being,” Duterte said in his speech.
“Together let us strengthen our ties and build new alliances in order to create a safe, enabling, child–friendly environment for the succeeding generations of Filipinos,” he added.
Departing from his speech, Duterte lamented how one of the greatest drawbacks of this country is the government’s failure to provide health care for all Filipinos.
He admitted that the government is “short of funds” but bared that it has worked to pass the Universal Healthcare Bill that will give the most vulnerable sectors free medical attention in hospital.
The PACFMC is spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC).
It forms part of the government’s measure to give recognition to the efforts of local government units (LGU) in promoting the welfare and rights of children.
The LGUs of Salay, Misamis Oriental; Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya; Tagaytay City, Cavite; Dagupan City, Pangasinan and Mandaluyong City are among the awardees.
Each awardee received PHP500,000 cash prize and presidential trophy.
