The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday conducted an investigation in Pasay Jail, Pasay Youth Home, and Pasay Police Station following reports of a United Kingdom tabloid, that there are minors, particularly streetchildren, who are being detained with adult criminals, in an effort to clean the streets for the Papal visit.
The investigation yielded negative results, according to DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman who sent teams of social workers yesterday to Pasay City.
The social workers went even inside the jails and center to validate the report.
On the other hand, in Paranaque, which was also mentioned in the report, 24 minors are in Bahay Pag-Asa, a rehabilitation for youth and are not in adult prisons.
“I would like to reiterate that we do not jail children. We jail abusers,” Sec. Soliman said.
Sec. Soliman said that a multi-agency task force composed of DSWD, local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), and the Police conducts a weekly reach-out to streetchildren. Under the reach out, they are taken into the local social welfare office where they are assessed, profiled, and provided with proper interventions such as feeding and temporary shelter.
On January 13, the Pasay LGU reached out to some 58 individuals. They are now in various DSWD centers where they are being provided with services.
Aside from the reach-out, DSWD also implements 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.
For those not members of both programs, DSWD is now conducting an MCCT orientation for them for their eventual registration and inclusion in the program.
Healthy Frederico
(Right Photo) Frederico is now a healthy and happy boy after receiving rehabilitation services from an NGO and DSWD.
On the case of Frederico whose photo showing him severely malnourished was also included in the article, Sec. Soliman said that the boy is now recovering fully well under the care of an NGO with DSWD.
Frederico was rescued by DSWD social workers in October 2014.
“We have found his mother and we are currently doing a case work management with her,” Sec. Soliman said.
Based on an update from the NGO center, “Frederico is thriving.”
He has gone from 18 kgs to 27.5 kgs in weight. Fred (as he likes to be called) is now a very active and happy boy. His general health is great and his skin which was horrible with sores and eczema is now in wonderful condition. Only a few scars remain to remind us of how far he has come. Despite his special needs, he can eat now by himself and even uses the toilet properly. The Helping Hands Healing Hearts Ministries staff and Volunteer Occupational therapist have worked wonders with him. His smile and laughter as he jumps on the trampoline “make it worth it all.”
The report added that Fred can now show his emotions including affection and happiness. Before, the only emotion he shared was fear or anger. He is now ready to find a foster family or Children’s Home who could love and care for him.
