Para sa Bata, Pamilya at Pamayanan

AKAP BATA Partylist

prepares for 2013 polls
Bata second nominee, Dr. Ed Clemente. Citing the latest data about the state of the Filipino children, he said 27 per cent of the children in the country are malnourished, with 3.3 million considered underweight due to food insufficiency. In 2011, 4.5 million families experienced involuntary hunger, he said. Brosas, meanwhile, said the numerous abuse cases against children are also alarming. The rate of child abuse increased from 2,587 in 2001 to 4,016 in 2011, while 7 out of 10 children has yet to have access on early childhood care and education. These facts are not to be ignored, that the children truly need genuine representation in Congress, she said. After the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona, child welfare group Akap Bata Partylist has filed before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) its manifestation of intent to join the Congressional race on May 2013 national elections. Its eight nominees submitted the documents to the COMELEC. Akap Bata first nominee, Arlene Brosas in statement said, her group is running not because they want power but the Filipino children need genuine representation in the Philippine House of Representatives (HOR). Children are highly vulnerable; they are the most vulnerable sector. The sector needs serious and systematic programs and services to augment the currently lamentably poor efforts of the government to address their condition, says Akap

Volume 1 Issue No. 1 | March 2012 Volume 1 Issue No. 2 | June 2012

Meet the nominees. From left to right: Mr. Erving De La Cruz (5th nominee), Ms. Royal Jean D. Beraquit (7th nominee), Ms. Miriam D. Mueca (8th nominee), Ms. Arlene D. Brosas (1st nominee), Ms. Lyne S. Paulo (6th nominee). Not in the picture: Dr. Edgardo Doc Ed Clemente (2nd nominee), Dr. Evangeline R. Castronuevo-Ruga PhD (3rd nominee) and Ms. Liza Lei Garcia-Beschi (4th nominee).

Asked over the guilty verdict against the former Chief Justice, Brosas pointed that it is not only the corrupt who must be punished, but human rights violators and greedy businessmen as well. Much has been said during the impeachment trial but it would be useless of none of them will not practice honesty, accountability and genuine public service,

Brosas furthered. In addition to the support for the childrens cause, the group is also promoting the rights of the daycare workers and volunteers. Akap Bata also helped in the monitoring of the implementation of Department of Education Order # 8 series of 2012, which prohibits excessive and illegal collection of graduation fees.

Nominees prepare the requirements upon filing the groups intent to participate in the 2013 elections together with the new set of nominees.

NEWS

AKAP BATA Launches Summer Art Camp

Akap Bata Partylist together with childrens rights advocates from various organizations of daycare workers, artists, church people, women and youth launched a comprehensive summer arts workshop and seminar to take up issues like Childs right, education, nutrition, culture and welfare while building-up and enhancing skills and talents of the children. Mobilizing Art for Children Two art workshops are held simultaneously by City Chapters of Akap Bata. With the theme Mobilizing Art in Advancing Childrens Rights on Adequate Shelter, Education and Nutrition, Akap Bata Caloocan, Youth Network of Child Advocates (YNCA), Institusyong ng Kalinga ng Pamilya and Sining Bugkos through the help of Councilor Prado held a three-day summer workshop at Prado Verde Venue in Bagumbong, Caloocan City last April 13 15. About 100 children attended the said event and as an output, we have formed Sining Salingkit as a cultural formation of children in Akap Bata Caloocan, said Erving De la Cruz, Akap Bata Caloocan Chairperson and Akap Bata Partylist 6th nominee. Meanwhile, Akap Bata Marikina together with the Day Care workers and volunteers in the city also held the same activity

Member s of the childrens committee of ANAKBAYAN facilates the art workshop for the children of Silverio Compound last May 30, 2012.

Children are victims, not criminals - AKAP BATA

Akap Bata Partylist scores the railroading of the House of Representatives to reduce criminal liability age from 16 to 13 years old last June 7, 2012. The Lower House approved House Bill 6052 on final reading the amendment of Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA) of 2006, lowering the age limit of child felons by three years. For Akap Bata Partylist, the Lower House not just fasttracked the process of approval of HB6052 but clearly offered band-aid solutions to the problem of children in conflict with the law. They stressed that: lowering the age limit of criminal liability reflects how our society treats our children and what kind of justice system we have in the country. Akap Bata Partylist also insisted that enacting HB6052 will not resolve the underlying issues and root causes why these children were being forced to perform anti-social activities and the amending RA9344 will mean further violation of our childrens basic rights. The government should go after bigger fishes, the ones who should be punished. For the longest time, Filipino children as the most vulnerable sector in our society has long been suffering from extreme poverty, hunger, homelessness among others, says Arlene Brosas, national secretary-general and first nominee of Akap Bata Partylist. The group also stressed that to achieve a child-friendly society, basic issues involving children needs to be resolved such as childrens education, health and nutrition, shelter and protection program for the children.

at Marikina Heights last May 29. Under the theme Food, Shelter and Education for the Filipino Children, some 100 children participated the said activity. Art as Therapy Anakbayan Metro Manilas Childrens Committee also conducted an Art Workshop together with Akap Bata Paraaque in Silverio Compound last May 31. A total of 100 kids aged five to 10 years old who suffered from stress during the violent demolition last April 23 participated in the said event.

As ates and kuyas (big sisters and brothers) in Silverio, we tied up with the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation for this event. The objective is not only to make the children understand their living condition but also release the stress that they are feeling, said program head and Anakbayan Secretary General Dianne Solmayor. Akap Bata Partylist Paraaque also said that art is therapeutic and facilitates child development. A drawing and painting workshop was held during the day while the outputs were put up in a street exhibit.

The output of Likhaang Bata in Caloocan were put up in an exhibit during the Akap Bata Partylist National Convention last May 9. 2012

NEWS

Social networking sites, OK for kids

With the proper guidance of their parents, children as young as 13, should not be hindered in using social networking sites as Facebook, says Akap Bata partylist. The statement came as more and more mature people are supporting the freer access to the internet by the children. Akap Bata said, the access to the internet is one of the basic rights of every child to express their own views, opinions, thoughts and ideas on whatever platforms and channels. The group also said that the internet is also an avenue for the children to play, have fun, and learn and explore new things. However, Akap Bata clarifies that as children need to be given access over the social networking sites, their parents, guardians and even elders must give more time to guide and monitor their online activities. As guideline, Akap Bata partylists gives adults of the 10 Internet Rules for Children so that kids can determine the things that must and must not be done online, which includes NOT TO DO: - Never announce personal information online. - Never send out picture or anything without unless approved by parents/guardians. - Never agree to meet someone face-to-face. - Never respond to messages that are cruel or makes you feel uncomfortable. - Never give out passwords to anyone other than your parents/ guardians. TO DO: - Be a good netizen by not doing thing that may hurt others and that are illegal. - Tell parents/guardians about distressing information encountered online. - Talk with parents/guardians regarding rules on going online - Help parents/guardians understand how to learn things over the internet. - Check with parents/guardians before downloading or installing software. On the other hand, the group also presses for the stronger punishments for those who violate the Anti-Child Porn Law. As adults need to provide more time to monitor our young netizens, the government must also do its role to protect and help our children by means of strengthening existing laws against online abuses against children. We also urge the government to strictly and fully implement Republic Act 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, says Arlene Brosas, Akap Bata Partylist national spokesperson and first nominee. The internet is being used today as the widest platform of child pornography all over the world as pornographic images and videos of children can easily be posted online and spread virally on various social networking sites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter among others; therefore, there is a greater possibility for children using the internet to access pornographic sites, which make them victims of child pornography as well, Brosas added.

During Akap Batas convention: E-Monitor 2012, launched

As School Year 2012 2013 opens, Akap Bata partylist had launched E-Monitor 2012 to ensure that the No Collection Policy by the Department of Education (DepEd) is strictly implemented in public elementary and high schools. The launching coincided with the partylists national convention at the Bulwagang Balagtas in Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila last May 9.

and guardians of enrolling students on public elementary and high schools this year not to hesitate to contact us for complaints and reports concerning collection of any fees required for enrollment of their children this school year. Rest assured that identity of our callers will remain confidential, says Arlene Brosas, national secretary-general of Akap Bata Partylist. The reports can be sent through their hotline number: (02) 4376831 or via e-mail address: partylistakapbata@ yahoo.com. They are also in Facebook and in Twitter: @ akap_bata_party. The receiving of reports had started, May 10 onwards opening of classes, which will start on June 4.

This will also cover the monitoring of the initial implementation of the K+12 program on June. On the other hand, Brosas stressed education remains one of the basic rights of every Filipino child, and financial constraints must not be an obstacle for young Filipinos to be denied to access of free, accessible and quality education. She explained that the government must ensure that the no collection policy will be strictly implemented especially that enrollment is on-going on various public schools nationwide and that issue of fees as requirement for enrollment must be eliminated in order to ease the problem of the grow-

ing number of out-of-school children. Akap Bata Party-List cited various reiterations of DepEd on their existing orders and memorandums in regards with the no collection policy on enrollment including DepEd Order No. 65, series of 2010, DepEd Order No. 19, series of 2009, DepEd Order No. 19, series of 2008, DepEd Order No. 40, series of 2008, DepEd Order No. 40, series of 2009 among others. The child rights advocate also reminded school officials about the sanctions in connection with the violations of the aforementioned DepEd issuances.

A continuation of the successful GRADFEE MONITOR 2012 last March, E-MONITOR 2012 will receive complaints and reports from parents, guardians and concerned citizens. We are calling on parents

OPINION

Mensahe Mula sa Secretary General

Sa lahat ng kasapi, volunteer, kaibigan at taga-suporta ng Akap Dahil dito, kumalat po ang ating adhikain at marami po tayong natatanggap na reklmo at ulat mula sa ibaba. Tinitipon pa po Bata: natin ang mga datos ngayon at malapit nang ihapag sa Dep. Ed. Naging makulay rin ang panimulang paghahanda natin Magandang araw sa ating lahat! sa eleksiyon. Naglunsad po tayo ng Childrens Santacruzan: Sa pagpasok ng ikalawang hati ng taon, inilalabas natin ang Parade of the 10 Rights of the Child sa Intramuros. Naging ikalawang isyu ng Balitang Akap Bata at nandito na naman po masaya ang aktibidad na ito at nakakatuwang tingnan na ang buong pamilya ay naging bahagi ng aktibidad ng Akap Bata at ang inyong lingkod para mag-ulat. naging informative na rin sa kanila ang pagtitipon. Pagdaan ng Sadyang napaka-busy ng nagdaang mga buwan. Noong sagala sa COMELEC ay duon po tayo naglunsad ng maikling Abril sinimulan natin Likhaang Bata o art workshop sa ibat programa habang nagpa-file po tayo ng intent to participate ibang panig ng Metro Manila. Mahalaga po ang ganitong mga at mga bagong nominado. serbisyo at pagtitipon para sa mga bata dahil nakatutulong po ang sining upang mawala ang stress at mailabas ng mga bata Ngayong Hunyo naman, naghanda tayo sa Daycare Workers ang kanilang mga saloobin. Mainam ito sa mga komunidad na Week. Naghahanda rin tayo sa mga Congress at Senate trooping upang mapabilis ang pagpapasa ng Magna Carta for Day nakaranas/nakararanas ng kalamidad at demolisyon. Care Workers. Siyempre, sa darating na Hulyo ay Nutrition Buwan ng Mayo nang matagumpany nating nailunsad ang Month naman. National Convention (NC) na ginanap sa Bulwagang Balagtas sa PUP Sta. Mesa. Humigit-kumulang 1,000 child advocates Talaga nga namang jam-packed ang nagdaang tatlong buang nagkatipun-tipon sa malaking okasyon na ito. Nais po nat- wan. Siguro ay mas lalo pang magiging busy ang ating mga ing magpaabot ng mainit na pasasalamat sa lahat ng dumalo, kasama, kaibigan at volunteers sa susunod na mga buwan. nakiisa at nagbigay-suportasa ibat ibang uri o pamama- Sana ay magkita-kita ulit tayo sa susunod na mga pagtitipon at higit pang dumami at lumawak ang ating kasapian! Ipagpaturaanupang maging matagumpay ang nasabing asambleya. loy natin ang sama-samang pagkilos, kasama ng masang api, Doon na rin natin inilunsad ang Educaton and Enrollment para sa kinabukasan ng mga batang Pilipino! Tuloy ang laban Monitor (E-Monitor) na talaga namang malaki ang impact sa para sa kagalingan at karapatan ng batang Pilipino! media.

Arlene D. Brosas is a teacher by profession and a staunch child rights advocate. She is the former Executive Director of Akap sa Bata ng mga Guro Kalinga Inc. from the year 2008 - 2010 and the Spokesperson of Anti - Child Pornography Alliance. She is the Secretary General and the First nominee of AKAP BATA Partylist.

OPINION

ANO ANG NAGHIHINTAY SA MGA BATA?

Dr. Edgardo N. Clemente, M.D* Sa kabila ng pagiging Pag-asa ng Bayan, ang mga bata at kabataan ay salat sa serbisyong panlipunan.
Alam nyo ba na pito sa sampung bata ang hindi naaabot ng Early Childhood Care and Education program ng gobyerno? Hindi sila naaabot ng feeding programs at hindi rin nakapapasok sa Kinder o Day Care. Heto pa, ang international standard na budget sa edukasyon ay 6% ng GDP pero 2.1% lamang ang inilaan ng gobyernong Aquino para sa edukasyon. Sabi nila, malaki na raw ito kumpara sa nilaan ng gobyernong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; ngunit kung susuriin, kulang pa rin ito ni hindi nga man lang umabot sa kalahati sa itinakdang international standards! Ibig sabihin, ang kalusugan at karunungan ng mga kabataan ay hindi ganoong pinaglalaanan ng gobyerno! Saan napupunta ang pondo na laan para sa mga bata at kabataan? Malaking bahagi nito ay napupunta sa korapsiyon, pambayad utang at militarisasyon. Kaya naman malaking hamon na itulak ang pagbabago na ating ninanais sapagkat dominante ng iilang makapangyarihan ang senado at kongreso at sinisiguro nila na ang mga batas at panukala ay pabor sa kanilang mga interes. Alam nating lahat na sa Mababang Kapulungan, naririyan ang Partylist seats. Dito tayo nagkakaroon ng lugar at boses upang maipahayag ang ating mga adhikain at programa. Ito ay malaking oportunidad para sa tunay na mga kinatawan ng aping sektor, laluna ng mga batang Pilipino, upang makapaglunsad ng mga proyekto sa mga kabataan, at maihayag ang ating paninindigan at maipakita ang ating aksiyon hinggil sa mga tampok na isyu ng lipunan. Liban sa Partylist system, ang ibat ibang aping sektor ay nakikibahagi rin sa ibat ibang porma ng pagkilos upang igiit ang kanilang mga karapatan. Ngunit paano naman ang mga bata? Bahagi ang mga bata ng bawat aping sektor. Kaya, mahalaga na sa mga bawat pakikibaka ng mga sektor na ito, maisama rin ang childrens advocacy, dahil wala rin naman maasahan ang mga bata kundi ang kanilang mga tatay at nanay, mga ate at kuya at kanilang mga tagapag alaga. Sabi nga nila, ang kasalukuyang kalagayan ng mga bata ay repleksiyon ng mga bagay ginagawa ng nating mas nakatatanda o ng mga bagay na nakalimutan nating gawin.

* In this picture is Dr. Edgardo N. Clemente, M.D with the participants of Childrens Sagala. He is the second nominee of Akap Bata Partylist and a surgeon by profession. He is also an active advocate on childrens health and nutrition.

Kayo ang magdala ng makakain (Cf. Juan 6:5-15)

Noel Sales Barcelona, Editorial Staff SABI NG ISANG MATANDANG kasabihang Hindi, Mahalaga ang pagkain sa pagkatutong espirituwal. Paano nga ba makapananalangin nang husto ang isang bata kung ang iniisip niya ay isang tasang kanin, isang pritong tuyo at isang tumpok na mga gulay? Kasama sa paghihimala ng Panginoong Hesu-Kristo noong nasa daigdig pa Siya, ay ang pagpapakain sa mga nagugutom. Sa Pilipinas, marami ang batang kulang sa nutrisyon. Hindi tayo kulang sa pagkain. Hindi totoo ang patalastas sa radyo at telebisyon na kapos ang daigdig sa pagkain. Dahil kung gayon, magsasara ang McDo, Jollibee, at Chowking dahil wala na silang sangkap na mailuluto at maipagbibili. Ang suliranin ng napakaraming pamilya, ang salaping pambili ng pagkain. Kapos sa salaping pambili ng pagkain ang ating mga kababayan dahil wala silang trabaho o kung may trabaho man, kapos ang kanilang mga sahod at sweldo para sa pang-arawaraw nilang pangangailangan. Sabi ng pinakabagong Social Weather Station survey, tumaas ang antas ng walang hanapbuhay sa bansa13.8 milyon, kontra sa 9.7 milyon noong Disyembre 2011. Pahayag ni Santiago Apostol, Ang dalisay na relihiyon at walang dungis sa harapan ng ating Dios at Ama ay ito, dalawin ang mga ulila at mga babaing balo sa kanilang kapighatian, at pagingatang walang dungis ang kaniyang sarili sa sanglibutan (Cf. Santiago 1: 27). Ang pagkalinga sa mga nangangailangan ang tunay na batayan ng relihiyon. At bahagi ng pagkalingang ito ay ang pagtiyak na ang bawat isa ay nakababahagi sa biyaya ng Diyos, gaya ng pagkain at iba pang pangangailangan. Dagdag ni San Pablo, ang pagibig sa kapwa ang pinakamatining sa lahat. Aanhin mo ang himala, ang kapangyarihan, ang ibang wika kung bato naman ang puso mo? (1 Corinto 13) Hindi naman nangangahulugan na dapat maglimos ka araw-araw para makakain nang husto ang mga bata. Pero maganda rin ito dahil sabi nga sa Ecclesiastes 11:1 Ihasik mo ang iyong tinapay sa tubigan: sapagkat iyong masusumpungan pagkaraan ng maraming araw. Ang ibig nating sabihin, bigyan nawa ang mga magulang nila ng sapat na pagkakabuhayan. Kung mayroon silang trabahong sapat ang kita, mayroon pa kayang batang magugutom at magkukulang sa nutrisyon?

Literary

Sa Yakap ng Kapalaran
Rhian Guevarra, Akap Bata Quezon City Biglang napalis ang munting ngiti sa nasaksihan Linukuban ng lungkot ang buong katauhan Sa nanuot na kahirapan ang buong katauhan Kahit sa payapang araw walang kinahinatnan Sa bigat ng pasaning iniwan at daratnan Sariling anak pano yayakapin hahagkan

Sa mga hakbang na di matunton paroroonan Sumalubong musikang pumayapa sa kawalan Sa bakuran ng paligid na nakamulatan Aliw ang magiliw na hiyawang naghahabulan Mga batang liwaliw sa sariling pananagutan Kamusmusang malaya sa bagabag na kapalaran

Sa hubog ng Kahirapan
Rhian Guevarra, Akap Bata Quezon City Sa silid na karamihan tingin isang direksyon May diwang nagbubulakbol nasa labas ang atensyon Maagang gapos sa kaluluwa ng kahirapan Ispiritung antukin sa oras ng kaalaman Palaging umiiwas sa oras ng pagsasalo Di alintana kung hanggang kailan mahihilo Walang ibang gawa kundi tumingin sa relo Nais makatakas maitago laman ng ulo Sa paroot parito di nagbago ang kwento Di naglaon nawala sa listahan ang magulo kapalarang di mahawakan mahugnay ang dulo Hinubog na kahinaan sa lunggay nagsosolo

Editorial Staff Jo Anne Anastacio Noel Sales Barcelona Danica Castillo Neshreen Kingking Carol Tanghal Christian Yamzon Graphic Artist Raymond Oxcena Contributing Photographers Andrew Del Castillo Jen Romulo Tudla Productions

For Feedbacks, please reach AKAP BATA party-list through the following: Address: Telefax: E-mail: Facebook: Twitter: 74 A Stanford St., Cubao, Quezon City (02) 437.68.31 partylistakapbata@yahoo.com http://facebook.com/akapbata http://twitter.com/akap_bata_party

The "Balitang Akap Bata" is the official quarterly newsletter of AKAP BATA partylist. The second issue is published by AKAP BATA partylist to dessiminate information, news updates and showcase writing and artistic prowess of its members, friends and volunteers. AKAP BATA partylist is open for feedbacks and suggestions to improve our news letter.