Joshua

Th e 2024 National Children's Month Celebration, themed *“Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines,”* highlights the critical importance of safeguarding children from violence and ensuring their well-being. This theme underscores the urgency of addressing child abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence in various forms, including physical, emotional, and sexual harm. The phrase "Break the Prevalence" suggests that the issue of child violence is widespread, and to protect children, society must actively work to end these harmful practices. The call to "Create a Safe Philippines" reflects a vision of a society where every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a secure and nurturing environment. This theme also emphasizes the collective responsibility of families, communities, government institutions, and other stakeholders to create robust child protection systems and pol...

 Despite these overwhelming odds, the Filipino has been amazing in exhibiting resilience against the realities of climate change. Whole communities find ways to rebuild after disasters, while local government units and NGOs alike implement programs that could improve preparedness for disasters, facilitate early warning systems, and strengthen climate-adaptive infrastructure. However, resilience does not come without a cost. Filipinos live with the idea of balancing how to preserve their way of life while being entirely adaptable to the changing environment. The history of surviving typhoons, floods, and earthquakes in the country has instilled a culture of mutual aid and resourcefulness. The Bayanihan spirit or the collective effort in helping one another comes out at the most trying of times and is a testament to the strength and unity garnered through adversity. However, it must not be on the shoulders of the most vulnerable. The government needs to take action this can be a nati...