by RG Alama

Davao City (16 October) -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Provincial Government of Compostela Valley is setting its sights on passing its long-delayed Children's Code.

According to Board Member Maricar Zamora-Apsay they will apply a bottom-to-top approach in making the code. She said there will be intensive workshops and consultations with different sectors to find and sort out existing laws about Children.

She said there was a Children's Code resolution which was passed two years ago, during the past administration, but was stalled as they have many recommendations and opinions about the proposed Code, while the proponents pushed the resolution despite the members' varied concerns. The issue erupted in a conflict between the opposing parties in the Provincial Board.

Board Member Zamora-Apsay reiterated that the Code is not a duplication of laws but rather a codification of existing laws. "Dili ako ang magsulat, ako ang mangutana." (I will not write but I will be the one to ask.) She said as the Children's Code will be thoroughly studied down to the grassroots, and will not be rushed unlike in the past.

The lady Senior Board-Member is the Chairperson of the Committee of Women and Children. Zamora-Apsay said that the passage of the Children's Code is in line with the Province's initiative to provide the 4 Gifts for Children, requested by the United Nation's Children's Fund (UNICEF). The Four Gifts is an approach initiated by UNICEF to promote Children's welfare and development in the country's different Local Government Units.

The four gifts include the passing of the Annual Investment Plan for Children, Children Investment Plan, State of the Children Report and the Children's Code.