Philippine Ambassador to the Philippines to Israel in Israel Macairog S. Alberto delivering his remarks at Afik School
01 June 2022, Tel Aviv, State of Israel – The Philippine Embassy, led by Ambassador Macairog S. Alberto, participated in the program “Young Ambassadors for Children’s Rights Program” held in Afik School in Petah Tikva City, Israel. The program was launched by the Israeli Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, Afik school and the city of Petah Tikva. The Philippine Embassy participated in the program through the initiative of one of the students of the school, Mr. Oran Navarro an 11th grade school student whose grandfather was a Filipino.
In the program, students with ages ranging from 13-18 years of age were asked to select a country to represent and to conduct research on their chosen country’s culture, history, and its enactment of any laws which supported the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The student body of Afik School, faculty, staff, and other Israeli government agency representatives attended the recognition ceremony
The participation of the Ambassador and staff in the program generated a lot of interest in the school and the city of Petah Tikva. Israeli officials from the Ministry of Education, particularly the country coordinators, administrators, and school inspectors for education and special education services, the Ministry of Justice, as well as the Petah Tikva Mayor’s Office, also attended the event. 
PHL Ambassador Macairog S. Alberto congratulating the students in the Program for their participation
Ambassador Alberto, who gave a speech in English and Hebrew, lauded the students and faculty for their wonderful work in the program. He extended his gratitude for the invitation for the Philippine Embassy and he encouraged everyone in attendance to visit the Philippines. During the ceremony held at the Afik School, the students who participated in the program were recognized for their participation in the program.
Philippine Ambassador Alberto delivered a presentation at Afik School about the Philippines
The ambassador also delivered a presentation on the Philippines, and promoted the country as a tourism and education destination. Other Embassy officials also answered questions from the students regarding life as diplomats, as well as how the Philippines implements, through its laws and policies, the specific provisions on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
PHL Ambassador Macairog S. Alberto poses with the proud Afik students who showed their certificates of participation in the Program
Consul General Reichel Quiñones and Vice Consul Patricia Narajos also discussed some Philippine laws which specifically protect women and children, such as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act and the Safe Spaces Act, which seeks to protect against various forms of gender-based violence.
(L-R) Tova Ben Ari Chief Supervisor for the Implementation of Student Rights Law, Yossi Michal, National Coordinator for the Implementation of Students Rights, Philippine Ambassador Macairog S. Alberto, Oran Navarro ,11th grade student, Ronit Maor, National coordinator for Technopedagogy, Gafnit Suissa, Inspector of Special Education in the Tel Aviv District, Svetlena Odobeekuba, Assistant Supervisor for Special Education services in Petah Tikva and Sarit Oren, Principal of Afik School
The representatives from the Ministry of Education and the school expressed interest in further collaborations with the Philippine Embassy on similar projects, which will provide further avenues for sharing of information and knowledge about the Philippines, particularly on matters regarding education practices, economic opportunities, tourism, as well as issues regarding the implementation of laws and conventions geared toward strengthening the rights of the child. In this regard, the Philippine Embassy will continue to coordinate with the Ministry representatives and the school in order to seek further means by which to enrich the beneficial exchange between Israel and the Philippines in these areas. END