Children’s organization promotes program vs corporal punishment

CEBU, Philippines - An international children’s development organization launched a program in Cebu to train parents on disciplining their children without having to resort to corporal punishment. 

Plan International, an independent organization that promotes non-violence to children, explained that in today’s generation, children suffer corporal punishment due to the parents’ belief that this is the best way of disciplining their children.

“We know that corporal punishment, or the act of using physical or psychological violence to discipline children, is not effective in teaching children. On the contrary, it lowers children’s self-esteem, teaches violence, and weakens the bond between parent and child,” said John Divadiva, national program unit manager of Plan International, in a press statement. 

Divadiva further explained that corporal punishment may result to depression, suicide, poor learning outcomes, psychological trauma, increased aggression, and may lead to physical injuries and even death.

“Positive and non-violent discipline is a parenting approach that teaches and guides children’s behavior while respecting their human rights,” said Teresita Canieso, Plan International Project Officer for Cebu City.

In this program, Plan International, Lihok Pilipina Foundation and Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development Foundation, with the financial support from Plan International Germany and the European Union, will work with the City Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education, local government units of Cebu City and Talisay City and civil society groups.

The pilot barangays for the project are Labangon, Guadalupe, San Nicolas Proper, Lahug and Sambang Uno where the number of the manifestation of corporal punishment in the city is reportedly high.

Based on the record of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 7, there were 748 cases of child abuse recorded in the region, 401 for abandonment and neglect, 132 for sexual abuse and 116 for physical abuse, battery and maltreatment.

According to a Pulse Asia survey, two out of three parents in the Philippines use at least one kind of psychological or physical punishment to discipline their children.

Dr. Rhea Mar Angtud, Cebu City Schools Division Superintendent said cases of teachers who are strictly disciplining their students in Cebu are just minimal.

“If i-generalize, we have almost 7,000 teachers in Cebu City and then 1, 2 or 3 ang incidents (teachers giving corporal punishment to students),” she said.

She said if there are reports they will immediately conduct an investigation.

“Ang ato lang gyud ika assure sa parents nga kinahanglan og duna gani silay report, first hand experience nila. Kana bang sila gyud nakabaw,” she elaborated.

In 2012, there was a proposed city ordinance on anti-corporal punishment. However, this was not approved.

Now, the organization is again is pushing for the approval of the ordinance.  (FREEMAN)