Youth-led policy advocacy organization Paslit kicked off the celebration of its first anniversary with the theme Pamayanan, Pag-asa, Paslit, during a virtual event last September 20, 2021.
Paslit, an organization established for abandoned, neglected, and orphaned children, also launched its comprehensive agenda, a formal statement of its policy proposals that will anchor its advocacy in the years to come.
For these proposals, the organization collaborated with several organizations and child-caring institutions, including Chosen Children Village, Ka-Agapay Foundation Philippines, Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse, Youth for Safety, Rehoboth Children’s Home, Team Aguhon, TUGON Ateneo, Youth Voices Count, and Tahanan ng Pagmamahal. The proposals were also a product of several months of engagement with other orphanages, foundations, and government agencies.
“Through our common agenda, we hope to kickstart a collective effort to improve government policies that concern parentless children,” Executive Director Iñaqui Mangahas said.
Paslit’s proposals focus on the advancement of pending bills that will benefit the community, including bills on street children’s rights, a moratorium on aging out of foster children, and recognition and protection of foundlings. Proposals such as increased funding for child-caring institutions, promotion of social work, and technical assistance to local government units are also on the agenda.
The kickoff event featured a congratulatory message from no less than Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo herself, who touted Paslit and the community of advocates for their strong commitment to children’s causes.
Senators Pia Cayetano and Risa Hontiveros, themselves advocates of children’s rights, also graced the event with their respective messages, together with Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Commissioner and Association of Child-Caring Agencies of the Philippines (ACCAP) President Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana, and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno.
While the event was a celebration of Paslit’s accomplishments and proposals, the organization believes it is also a call to action for stakeholders, advocates, and government leaders and institutions.
“There are millions of Filipino children who are abandoned, neglected, or orphaned. Let’s not allow our society to turn its back on them,” Mangahas said.
Individuals and organizations interested in reading and co-signing Paslit’s agenda may do so through their newly-launched website, www.paslit.org.
