ISTANBUL — On February 6, 2025, UNICEF reported that air pollution is responsible for the deaths of 100 children under the age of five every day in East Asia and the Pacific.

This environmental crisis disproportionately impacts the region’s youngest population, with air quality deteriorating most severely during the dry season, from now through April. Air pollution is linked to nearly one in four child deaths in the region.

June Kunugi, UNICEF’s regional director for East Asia and the Pacific, emphasized the long-term harm caused by air pollution to children’s growth, lungs, and cognitive development, undermining their potential. The report highlights that approximately 500 million children across the region live in areas with dangerously high levels of pollution, with household pollution—caused by solid fuels for cooking and heating—contributing to over half of the deaths.

In addition, 325 million children are exposed to cancer-causing microparticles (PM2.5), while 373 million children are exposed to unhealthy levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and 453 million live in areas with ozone pollution above recommended levels.

UNICEF calls for urgent action from governments, businesses, and the health sector. Governments must enhance environmental policies and transition to clean energy. Businesses should adopt cleaner technologies and reduce emissions. The health sector is urged to focus on better detection and treatment, while parents and educators are encouraged to raise awareness and advocate for cleaner environments.

In response, UNICEF urges a united, multi-sectoral effort to combat the air pollution crisis for the future of children in East Asia and the Pacific. (Anadolu)

IA/MNM

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — Justice Assistant Secretary Michelle Anne Lapuz stated Sunday (10 March 2024) that the Department of Justice (DOJ) stands for the rights of women, children, and marginalized sectors of society.

Lapuz also emphasized the gender and development (GAD) vision and mission of the Department, aiming “to achieve a just and peaceful society through the establishment of an effective gender-sensitive, gender-responsive, and child-friendly justice system. A justice system that is accessible to everyone and inclusive.”

“All genders need to work hand-in-hand to change the current paradigm and achieve the ultimate goal of gender equality, eradicating all forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation against women, men, and children,” Lapuz emphasized during her dialogue with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

The Assistant Secretary also outlined various programs of the DOJ aimed at intensifying the empowerment of women and combating violence against women and children (VAWC), along with other forms of abuse and exploitation.

Furthermore, Lapuz expressed optimism about establishing a partnership with the PIA to communicate the Department’s agenda and messages to grassroots levels of society.

“Communication plays a significant role because if we fail to deliver the message to those who need to hear it, we cannot prompt action from them,” Lapuz emphasized.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

CONCERNED THAT ONE OF EVERY THREE FILIPINO children are undernourished, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos has urged local government units (LGUs) to focus on the health and nutrition of children.

Abalos on Sunday made the call as he noted that November marks the 31st National Children’s Month (NCM).

“Dapat nating tutukan ang nutrisyon. Isa sa bawat tatlong Pilipinong bata ay undernourished, apektado ang kanilang brain development. Once na apektado ang utak ng bata sa first 1,000 days, mahihirapan na silang makabawi, apektado ang pag-aaral ng bata. Kaya ito ay pagtulungan natin,” Abalos said in a statement.

Abalos in his DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2023-152, directed the provincial, city, municipal, and barangay LGUs to spearhead and support various activities aligned with the month-long NCM celebration with the theme “Healthy, Nourished, Sheltered: Ensuring the Right to Life for All.”

Abalos said the recommended weekly activities shall be anchored on survival rights for the first week, developmental rights for the second week, participation rights and National Play Advocacy Week in the third week, and protection rights week or juvenile justice and welfare consciousness week in the fourth week.

On the issue of “bloodless anti-drug war” and recognizing the pivotal role of children and youth in the government’s priority campaign against illegal drugs, Abalos also encouraged the youth to be active partners for the Buhay Ingatan, Droga Ayawan (BIDA) holistic advocacy campaign.

Meanwhile, during the “DILG sa DZRH” radio TV program, Abalos asked the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary and Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) Executive Director Angelo M. Tapales to work with the DILG in addressing the perennial problem of child beggars on the city streets, especially with the upcoming Christmas season.

(ai/mnm)