Children protest government’s neglect of their welfare, attack on their rights

“If we are his [President Aquino’s] boss, then the government should do what it should be doing. Relief should be fairly distributed. Relief is not alms that people have to beg for, it’s the government’s responsibility to help the people.” – Princess Balaba, 13, of Tacloban, Leyte

By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – Holding banners calling for justice for children victims of human rights violations and those who have died due to typhoon Yolanda, children marched to Chino Roces Bridge (former Mendiola Bridge) on Saturday, Dec. 7 as part of the annual Children’s Solidarity Action in line with the observance of International Human Rights week.

(Photo by Pom Cahilog-Villanueva / Bulatlat.com)
(Photo by Pom Cahilog-Villanueva / Bulatlat.com)

The protest action was led by Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns. Children from different communities participated in the protest action, including pupils from the Bahay Lunduyan Learning Center and Batibot Learning Center and some children survivors of typhoon Yolanda who flew to Manila from Leyte after the typhoon devastated their province.

Like adult protesters, children willingly held flags and placards bearing their grievances. They called President Benigno Aquino III as a “devastating storm” that befell the Filipino people, especially children. They lambasted Aquino for neglecting the welfare of children and violating their rights. They also held the President accountable for the death of thousands of children and parents in Eastern Visayas.

Princess Balaba, 13, from Tacloban, Leyte  narrates how children and their families  suffer because of government's slow response after typhoon Yolanda devastated their province. (Photo by Anne Marxze D. Umil/Bulatlat.com)
Princess Balaba, 13, from Tacloban, Leyte narrates how children and their families suffer because of government’s slow response after typhoon Yolanda devastated their province. (Photo by Anne Marxze D. Umil/Bulatlat.com)

Princess Balaba, 13, came to Manila from Tacloban, Leyte. She also participated in the protest. “Days after the storm hit the province, there were still no government relief operations. My mother and our neighbors were providing assistance to those who were left with nothing,” she said. She added that private and non-government organizations were the ones helping the people days after the typhoon. “The government responded very late when people were already desperate,” she told Bulatlat.com.

“We were very much terrified after the typhoon. There were bodies all over the place, the debris were everywhere and the news of looters breaking in houses made us scared even more,” she added.

Libertad Dipon of Task Force Children of the Storm said the government should be the first responders after a disaster. “Even during the past calamities, the government’s response was always delayed. Up to now, the government remains ineffective not only in preventing disasters but also in responding to the victims’ immediate needs. This government neglect is further violating children’s basic right to life,” Dipon said.

Dipon said children are the most vulnerable during and after disasters. She said the government should be providing for their primary needs such as food, and should be and making sure that they get back to their normal lives as soon as possible.

(Photo by Anne Marxze D. Umil/Bulatlat.com)
(Photo by Anne Marxze D. Umil/Bulatlat.com)

“But we saw that they are not doing their job. We have proven this when we conducted relief operations last November in Tacloban, where many villages were still not being reached by relief delivery operations. This government neglect is further violating children’s basic right to life,” she added.

For Balaba, the government should do its responsibility to the people. “If we are his boss, then the government should do what it should be doing. Relief should be fairly distributed. Relief is not alms that people have to beg for, it’s the government’s responsibility to help the people.”

(Photo by Anne Marxze D. Umil/Bulatlat.com)
(Photo by Anne Marxze D. Umil/Bulatlat.com)

The groups also lambasted Aquino for the increasing cases of human rights violations victimizing children. According to Angelo Alonzo, deputy secretary general of Salinlahi, there were 18 children killed under the administration of Aquino. “Harassment and children branded as child soldiers are also increasing. Many more are still not recorded,” said Alonzo.

“As long as children’s rights are violated under a repressive government, we are here to protect and uphold your welfare,” said Jacqueline Ruiz, executive director of Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC). (https://www.bulatlat.com)

Share This Post