Program for street kids gets P7.3M allocation

CEBU, Philippines — At least P7.3 million has been allocated for comprehensive programs for children living on the street and considered at risk.

The Commission for the Welfare and Protection of Children (CWPC) said the programs cover basic education.

Redentor Betito, director of the Cebu City CWPC, said the program aims to give more holistic approach.

“Nagbutang ta og mga tents ug mao niang magsilbi nato nga activity centers. Diri naa ta mga volunteers and social workers who will manage and teach the kids,” Betito said.

Betito said these are all conducted in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. He said their goal is also to convince the parents to let their children enjoy learning and to encourage them to provide their child with proper education.

CWPC currently has four activity centers located near cathedral, reclamation area, near Redemptorist Church, and near the City Hall. The program started last August with 154 active children. He said that 39 of them are now having formal education.

At least 45 families also benefited the program through the livelihood services.

“Nagbutang ta og tent, reading chairs, and reading tables then duna tay maestra and facilitators. So every Mondays to Fridays naa gyud ta klase. Ang ato ang pinaka-main goal gyod is mo-proceed sila og formal education,” Betito said.

Classes start at 10 in the morning until 12 noon. After classes, the children are given nutritious meals for free.

CWPC will also hold “Larong Pinoy” for the street children on November 24 at the Cebu City Sports Institute (CCSI) to expose them to a more active lifestyle through sports.

Meanwhile, DSWD-7 sees the need for local government units to establish their own Special Drug Education Center (SDECs) that prioritizes out of school youth who are most likely to fall into drug use or addiction.SDECs is a community-based program.

Angelina Paghubasan, social worker, said LGUs are mandated under the Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 to implement it. Paghubasan said only Talisay City has implemented the program so far.

The services that SDECs can provide for the out-of-school youth includes self-enrichment, skills training, literacy programs, capability-building service, spiritual enhancement and many more.

Aside from SDECs, DSWD is also espousing the Strategies Towards Acceptance Reintegration and Transformation for Recovering Drug Dependents (START) Program.

Unlike the localized SDECs, this after-care program is also catered to people from all walks of life.

“It is a pilot program that is part of the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the DSWD which covers at least 5 areas in Region 7: Talisay City, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu City, Dumaguete City and Minglanilla,” Paghubasan said.

These initiatives led by the DSWD are built on the hope that no child will become another victim of the war on drugs waged by government. (FREEMAN)