SAVE The Children Philippines called on the elected officials to ensure that each child will live in safe and inclusive environments where they can enjoy their rights, grow as productive members of society and have the future they deserve.

“In this critical time of transition, Save the Children is calling on all elected officials to focus on the urgent needs of children, and to set out their solutions that will ensure the fulfilment and protection of children’s rights at all times,” Save the Children said in a statement.

“We hope to see a strong commitment to transparency and accountability in serving the Filipino people with integrity and competence to create a lasting positive change in the lives of children,” it added.

The group also asked the incoming administration of president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to adopt a multi-sectoral and holistic approach to child health, nutrition and early childhood development to ensure that infants and young children are safe, healthy, and ready to learn at all times.

It also urged the government to address learning gaps by building the learning competencies, strengthen teacher professional development, ensure adequate mental health and psychosocial support and provide appropriate facilities and adequate resources to support children’s optimum development.

The group said that the government should come up with policies and programs with sufficient budgetary support to ensure children’s safe return to school.

The group also pressed the government to enact and fully implement policies with adequate resources that will protect all children from all forms of violence and abuses, including physical and psychological abuse, particularly in the home setting, and that would strengthen children’s protection from online abuse and exploitation.

Save the Children said that the government must improve the readiness of children and communities to protect themselves from the impacts of climate change, conflict, and natural disasters and calamities through capacity building, awareness raising, and provisions for appropriate equipment and facilities that will improve the quality and timeliness of humanitarian response.