Children shun school but cops not giving up

CEBU, Philippines- Twenty three of the 58 underprivileged children from Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City who became recipients of the city police’s Foster Parents Program did not continue going to school.

“Unfortunately, wala mipadayon ang uban kay magsige ra og duwa og computer. Nahibaw-an pa gani namo nga gipangbaligya kuno ang mga school supplies nga amo’ng gihatag sa ilaha,” said Supt. Enrique Belciña, head of Cebu City Police Office’s Police Community Relations Branch.

Because of this, only 35 children were provided with uniforms on top of the school supplies they received at the start of classes last month. The children all come from Tangke II.

“Kay useless man ang atong pagsuporta sa ila kung wala’y padulngan,” Belciña said.

Belciña said they decided to give the uniforms after they found out the children’s parents could not provide the same.

Belciña said the families of these children should not waste the support the program is providing. 

Despite the negative development, Belciña said they have not stopped reaching out to the 23 children and are still convincing them to return to school next year. They are also still part of the activities CCPO conducts on weekends.

Every Saturday, the children are made to participate in sports activities at the gymnasium in Barangay Sawang Calero.

“Amo gihapon sila gipaapil matag Sabado para dili sad sila mahilayo namo unya gina-convince gihapon namo sila nga mobalik og skwela next school year. Dili gihapon namo sila i-disown,” Belciña said.  (FREEMAN)