Binay declares Makati as 'safety zone' for kids

Mayor Junjun Binay over the weekend has declared the city's support for the Philippine Educational Theater Association Advocate Right to Safety Zone Project that promotes a positive, non-violent approach to disciplining children.

The mayor led city and barangay officials at the launching of a citywide advocacy for Positive Discipline during a ceremony held at the Session Hall, 22nd floor of Makati City Hall, a move which allowed Makati to be the first among Metro Manila cities to do so.

"As a highly urbanized city constantly facing challenges that test our resolve to uphold the rights of children, Makati fully supports the ARTS Zone Project as it will go a long way in helping us fulfil our commitment to promoting and protecting the welfare of children in our city," Binay said.
Makati has been adjudged as the "Most Child-Friendly City" in the National Capital Region for three straight years from 2006 to 2008. In 2009, it won the title at the national level through the combined efforts of various sectors comprising the city's Local Council for the Protection of Children.

The ARTS Zone Project is an ongoing three-year educational theatre project aimed to promote children's rights to safety and protection from any form of violence and abuse through the promotion of Positive Discipline in place of corporal punishment.

"Given the pressures of urban living, parents and teachers who wield parental authority in homes and schools need to adopt and embrace a positive, non-violent approach to discipline that respects children and supports their learning and development through affection, care and guidance," the mayor said.

Aside from city officials, councillors and the 33 barangay captains, also joining Mayor Binay at the launch are officials of DepEd-Makati and representatives of the different public elementary and high schools that have established partnership with PETA's ARTS Zone project that started last year.
PETA ARTS Zone Project partners in Makati include the elementary schools of Makati, Pembo, San Jose, and La Paz, and in the secondary level - Fort Bonifacio High School, Makati High School, Bangkal High School, and Gen. Pio del Pilar National High School. The Makati Social Welfare Department and non-government organizations like Virlanie Foundation will likewise be formally recognized as project partners at the launching.

According to Marichu Belarmino-Cariño, program director of ARTS Zone Project, five city mayors on November 19 will declare their commitment to child protection and will be awarded with the symbolic ARTS Zone markers from PETA. These are the mayors of Makati, Quezon City, Manila, Pasig and Caloocan. -PIA — ARA