TACLOBAN CITY — The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) celebrated the 10th birthday of the region's six 100-millionth symbolic babies on July 25 to emphasize the need for adequate childcare.

Elnora Pulma, CPD Eastern Visayas regional director, said that they keep monitoring the status of these children as a reaffirmation of their long-standing support that every child be provided with fundamental rights to social services such as health and education for them to thrive fully.

"The birth of these symbolic children on July 27, 2014 was regarded as a demographic milestone, an institutional reality check for our country that was then approaching a 100-million population mark," Pulma said.

"Their birth was also viewed as a challenge to the Philippines, whose socioeconomic and political status strives to provide citizens with a better quality of life," she added.

On July 27, 2014, 100 infants were born after midnight in state hospitals in 19 cities and 81 provinces, bringing the Philippine population to 100 million.

CPD, formerly known as Popcom, stated that the "Day of the 100 millionth Baby" is a "barometer of the government and other organizations' provision of resources in overall health, education and empowerment" for all Filipinos.

The six symbolic babies in the region are Rian Go of Tacloban City, Miller Josh Tondo of Tanauan in Leyte, Blair Catalea Balabis of San Juan in Southern Leyte, Sunrey Abenales of Catarman in Northern Samar, Jody Cervantes of Borongan City in Eastern Samar and Joven Rey Arsenio of Catbalogan City in Samar.

Meanwhile, Philippine Information Agency Eastern Visayas Regional Director Reyan Arinto, who is also the focal person on the monitoring of the status of the symbolic 100 million babies, told The Manila Times that this event brought in a new era for the population program, seeking to satisfy the requirements of the growing diverse population.

"We have made remarkable strides in several key areas: health care and maternal health; education and family planning; economic opportunities; and sustainable development," Arinto said.

"Our ongoing efforts will shape a nation where every child has the chance to reach their full potential and where families can enjoy a higher quality of life," he said.

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