I
PHILIPPINES
STATEMENT AMBASSADOR BY LESLIE GATAN DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THEPHILIPPINES THEUNITED TO NATIONS Agendaitem 68 (a)and (b)- Rightsof Children New York. 19 October2007
M r .C h a i r m a n , The commitment the Philippines protectand promotethe rightsof of to Filipino children extends to our strict adherence to the provisionsof the Convention the Rightsof the Childand other international on instruments, which promotethe well-being our world'smost valuableresource, of our children. The Philippines has passedseveralpiecesof legislation that ensurethe protection, groMh and development children,notablyPresidential of Decree 603, various executive ordersand proclamations, Republic Acts, rulingsand decisions the of SupremeCourl,and ordinances localgovernments. of Above all, its Constitution devotesan articleon the family (Art. XV) whose section3 directsthe State to propercare and protection defendthe rightsof children assistance, to including from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions p r e j u d ici a l th e i rd e ve l o p me nt. to The Philippines has also taken several steps to prevent childrenfrom beingaffectedby armedconflict. The Philippines affirmedits concurrence has to the implementation UN SecurityCouncil Resolution1612 and has already of conveyedto the SpecialRepresentative the SecretaryGeneralon Children of its and Armed Conflict readiness cooperate to and receiveher earlynextyear. It is illegal Philippine for military in authorities, particular Armed Forces the of the Philippines, recruitor employ children;and, certainly, never did nor to it does it field child soldiers.lt is taking all necessary measuresto avoid harming children recruitedby non-stateactors who wantonly deploy them in combat government makingeveryeffortto ensurethat no child zones.The Philippine is is affected armedconflict by and thosefew captured theirinvolvement nonfor by state actors,such as rebelsor insurgents, being reintegrated societyby are into various governmentagenciesincluding, but not limitedto, the Department of SocialWelfareand Development.

My governmentis carefully studying the Paris Principles and notes that it containselementsthat could be inconsistent with UNSC Resolution1612.in the sense that it does not take into accounton-goingpeace processes, which are key factors leading to lasting peace with non-state actors in the Philippines. Nevertheless, stilllook at the ParisPrinciples we with an open mind. M r .C h a i r m a n . The month of October in the Philippines NationalChildren'sMonth. is Commemorative eventsthroughout countryare carriedout duringthis month the with the aim of emphasizing the importance the role of the child within the of family and in society.Several special awareness-raising activitiesand programs are being undertakenthroughoutthis month to highlightthe many facets of children's welfare,puttingthe spotlight the promotion values,the rightsof on of children, the socialand developmental aspects,and addressing new challenges facing children.This is my government's demonstration its commitmentto of protecting and promoting rightsand development children. the of The Philippines also furtherintensifying implementation the Child is its of 21 Plan, a national strategicframeworkor blueprintfor the developmentof children.A program under this plan called the "Bright child strategy" is a comprehensive undertaking protect and promote the welfare of all Filipino to children.This holisticprogram is being implemented the nationaland local by "BrightChild government unitsin cooperation with the NGOs.The Strategy" also includes component effective parenting equipparentsand caregivers a on to and enable them to respond to parental duties and responsibilities during early childhood development,the management of younger and older children, husband-wife relationship, prevention child abuse, healthcare and other the of responsibilities parenting. of placespriorityfocus on the home and the family for the The Philippines promotion children's of welfare.We believethat the family,which is the natural environsfor groMh of childrenmust be supported truly nurturechildrenand to protect them from all physical, emotional and psychological harm. The Philippines looks to cooperating with the international communityin order to improve the conditions of children. For this reasin, we call on partners, UN system,and international international the organizations continue to to supportdevelopingcountriesin their effortsto attain internationally agreed goalsto improvethe livesof children.

-%

Mr.Chairman, May I reiterate our children our mostvaluable that are asset.Theymust thereforebe protected,cared for, nurtured,taught, and given the proper environment orderfor themto succeed. in Thereis universal agreement we that mustdo all we canfor them.Therefore, should worktogether insure we all to the development all our children, architects of the and builders the futureof of you. humanity. Thank