things that are currently happening within their surroundings. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of the displaced children who were interview managed to continue their studies. Based on the interviews and activities lacking school materials, language barrier, lack of nearby schools, and discrimination are some of the issues faced by the children. Experiencing language barrier and the lack of school materials are some reasons why internally displaced children are being discriminated. A number of children in Saguiaran EC disclosed that they have been mocked in class because of the clothes they wear and the different dialect they speak. “Yung iba diyan inaasar kami, bakwit daw kami. Madudumi, walang panggastos, walang pangkain. Bakit nila kami tatawaging bakwit?” (Some kids there are teasing me, they call us ‘Bakwit’. Dirty, no money to spend, no food to eat. Why are they teasing me?), asked a Grade 4 student in Saguiaran. An older boy shared that he was called “Maute” by some boys in his class. He admits that he was initially offended but he has somehow gotten used to it. But some children in other ECs said that the teachers and schoolmates are accommodating. Likewise, a Child Friendly Space (CFS) is important for internally displaced children. CFS exists in almost all Evacuation Centers except in Landa Paman EC. The tent-type spaces built by UNICEF are intended to support the rehabilitation of displaced children. CFS should be a place where children can come together and play to relieve them of their distress. During our visit, three (3) of the Child Friendly Spaces were not being utilize because the grounds are sodden and murky after the heavy rains. It was noted that ground sheets (waterproof tarpaulin) were provided but they were not installed. Accessing medical services is crucial for by Internally displaced families at the on-set of disaster. For children who have disability it is a lifesaving support. During the mission it was noted that DOH health desks are existing and operational in most evacuation centers. Children acknowledge the presence of health care providers in the evacuation centers. They are aware that free medical assistance and medicines are within their reach. In Maria Cristina, evacuees received reliefs and medical assistance from the time they arrived in the evacuation center. In Madrasah Campong, a boy who is suffering from polio receives vitamins and other medical aid to help him in his condition. In Landa Pamana there is no health desk but evacuees have ready access to medical services because their local government regularly coordinates with the DOH, “Marami pong bata na nagkakasakit dito, ung iba kasi dito, parang may chicken-pox, allergic, kasi sa tubig na nililiguan na galing sa gubat makati. Pero nagpupunta dito ang DOH para magbigay ng gamot tsaka nag-checheck-up. Nakikita ni Chairman, siya ang tumatawag sa DOH” (A lot of children are getting sick here, some looks like they have chicken-pox; allergies maybe due to the water coming from the forest where the take a bath, it is itchy. But sometimes, the DOH comes here to give us medicine, and to do a check-up. The Chairman who takes care of the EC notices the medical concerns, so he calls the DOH), detailed a teenager from Landa Pamana. Moreover, it was reported that in Saguiaran a child died due to malnourishment. According to one parent, children with pre-existing conditions are not being monitored by health providers. These children only receive medicines when they experience sickness. On the right to security and safety for children, there were no cases of abuse of children that were gathered during the mission. According to the parents and children, there were no major incidences of abuse involving children in the ECs; But there were “away bata” or petty fights among teenage boys. Children also feel safe inside the ECs because they are far from the war zone. “Minsan naririnig namin ‘yung putok pero pakiramdam namin ligtas na kami dito,” (we feel safe here, even if we sometimes hear the blasts coming from the conflict area) says a child from Landa Pamana. “Hindi kami natatakot dito, may mga eroplano lang pero wala namang nagaaway,” (we are not scared when we are here, there are planes but no armed conflict) shares another girl in Maria Cristina. To further secure the facility from the outsider and maintain peace and order, the IDP group leaders together with the camp manager of Saguiaran decided to form a group that regularly monitors and roves around the evacuation center. In other evacuation centers, like Iligan City National School of Fisheries and Maria Cristina, curfew is being strictly imposed; gates are closed by 9PM. 29