Roquero said infant death decreased from 459 in 2005 to 357 in 2006 and zero for 2007 as of November.

She said the decline of infant mortality was due to high coverage of expanded program for immunization with 96 percent and 87 percent coverage of Vitamin A supplementation.

The Valderrama municipality is also campaigning for exclusive breastfeeding of infants up to six months.

In her report, Roquero stated that her administration will focus on the four categories of child’s rights such as survival, protection, development and participation rights.

She also reported there was an increase in enrollment of day-care and elementary school children from 408 to 548 and 2,812 to 2,958, respectively.

The total number of high school enrollees is 821, and reported completion rate was 98 percent in the previous school year.

During the Children’s Congress, children representatives of various student councils in Valderrama received three more gifts.

These are Investment Plan, Development Plan and Children’s Code – given by Mayor Roquero and other local officials as part of their accountability to children as child rights duty bearers.

The gifts will not only benefit children in school but also other children 0-17 years old in Valderrama.