BATA MUNA : Vote for candidates with children’s programs

AGUSAN DEL SUR – The Foundation for the Development of Agusanons, Inc. (ADFI) has launched Friday the “Bata Muna” campaign to influence voters to consider children when voting and to vote for candidates who stand up for children’s rights come May 13 elections.

Bata Muna is a non-political, non partisan movement endorsed by the Commission on Elections and is implemented by various organizations, most notably Save the Children and Caraga Emergency Resource Group (CERG) that will awaken both the candidates/ politicians and voters to know, and stand up for children’s rights, Dr. Rex Linao, ADFI executive director.

During the launching, Dr. Linao explained candidates to be voted upon can provide children with safe place where they can play; funds for children’s projects; can put up street lights in order to avoid accidents and criminalities;

Programs for the rights of children, especially those who are impaired; programs for children to overcome fear, stress and bad experience because of disaster and man-made calamities;

Free medical services, like counselling and correct information on reproductive health, alternative learning and back-to-school program for children who quit schooling;

Chances for children to participate in formulating laws, program on positive discipline and child labor and work for parents so that they can address the needs of their children.

“Our aim here is to make parents and voters know the platforms of the candidate and scrutinizing their platforms. Second, they should select candidates using the criteria for determining pro-children candidates, and hold them accountable after elections, or remind them of their promises,” Dr. Linao said.

According to him, organized youth, parents and other stakeholders of the Bata Muna should see to it that they participate or organize public dialogues, interact children with candidates and voters, provide political candidates and parties with policy and position papers, Bata Muna poster and campaign materials, engage political candidates through social media (e.g. twitter), document and share political promises, share relevant studies, draft policy papers, or be a spokesperson and volunteer to help the campaign.

“With this campaign, we cannot only ensure honest, orderly and peaceful election but we can also help voters to become responsible for the future,” Dr. Linao said. (DMS, PIA-Agusan del Sur/arjaysfelicilda)

Read more: http://www.businessweekmindanao.com/2013/04/28/bata-muna-vote-for-candidates-with-childrens-programs/#ixzz2T8FDHxMA