As the main agency tasked to protect the welfare of disadvantaged children, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) vehemently denies that children are caged to keep the street clean for the Pope, as reported today by the Daily Mail Online, a publication of the United Kingdom.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that the Philippine Government does not cage children.

“We do not tolerate this practice. We put child abusers in jail,” Sec. Soliman emphasized.

DSWD together with local government units have been working to keep the children off the streets because of the dangers posed to their safety and health.

Sec. Soliman said that for the Pope visit, the Government ensured that the street children would have a role in the Papal Visit.

“We are not hiding the children. In fact, more than 400 street children will be singing during the send-off for Pope Francis on Monday. They have been practicing since December. The Pope will see and interact with them,” Sec. Soliman disclosed.

These children are beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Program for Street Children which offers a package of services, that includes education for the children and livelihood packages for their parents, and the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer Program (MCCT) which gives them cash assistance for their school and health needs, as well as for house rental. For 2014 alone, some 850 families have been served under the MCCT in Metro Manila.

Also joining the send-off activity are children who have been abandoned and those undergoing rehabilitation in DSWD centers and institutions.

“Reaching out to street children is a regular program of the Department meant to keep them off the street where it is dangerous for their health and safety. The MCCT is likewise a continuing program for them, since 2013. We are not doing all these for the Pope’s visit,” Sec. Soliman said.

Old photos

Sec. Soliman clarified that some of the photos published together with the article were photos taken in the past. “Corrective measures have been undertaken since the time that the reports came out,” she said.

She cited the photo of Federico showing him as severely malnourished, which was taken before the boy was assisted. “Federico has already gained weight and is being cared for by an NGO with DSWD. We have found his mother and we are currently doing case work management with the mother,” Sec. Soliman explained.

The Secretary has ordered an investigation on allegations in children’s centers in Paranaque City and Pasay City.

For the Manila Reception Action Center (MRAC), Sec. Soliman said that the DSWD is in the process of closing the facility.

“We are now transferring the children-residents to other DSWD-licensed NGOs and DSWD managed facilities,” Sec. Soliman said.