Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman has sent anew a validating team to check the veracity of a report relayed by a GMA news reporter on alleged abuse and maltreatment of a 10-year-old boy-resident of the Manila Reception and Action Center (MRAC).

The news reporter submitted the transcription of her by-chance interview with the 10-year-old boy at the gate of the center. The boy claimed that he was being physically abused. However, it was not clear in the interview who was hurting him.

Last night, DSWD-NCR Field Office Director Alice Bonoan who led the validating team proceeded to the center to investigate the incident.

It was learned that the 10-year-old boy has already been re-integrated with his family in San Roque, Pandacan, Manila.

Dir, Bonoan said the she will send a social worker to conduct a validation visit to the child’s family in Pandacan, Manila to see and assess his condiion and that of the family.

“We are now transferring the children-residents to other DSWD-licensed NGOs and DSWD managed facilities,” Sec. Soliman said. Manila RAC will be temporarily closed to give the City Social Welfare and Development Office of the City of Manila the time and space to repair and rehabilitate the center as well as enhance their capacity to care for the children.

There are two children at the RAC who claim to be residents of Bahay Tuluyan in Quezon Province. DSWD is now facilitating their return to the center.