DSWD eyes new program for street kids

MANILA, Philippines — A new program to effectively address the issue of street children and families as well as tambays is being worked out by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with the help of other government agencies and the private sector.

“We are currently in talks with the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) and other government agencies for the development of a new program that will be more effective in dealing with children and families on the streets,” Social Welfare Secretary Virginia Orogo said yesterday.

She said the program includes the allocation or establishment of spaces in barangays for rescued street children. A case study will also be conducted for each child to assess appropriate interventions.

Children who do not have families or relatives will be placed in the centers. Those who have will be returned to their families.

“We will call this ‘Silungan sa Barangay’ and we’ll need the help of not just the local government but of each citizen in the barangay,” Orogo said.

“There are many reasons why children are on the streets. It could be that their parents are not on good terms, or the children are the ones working for their family because their parents or siblings are sick,” she added.

Orogo is confident the proposed program will help the agency better respond to the problems of street children.

She said efforts to help these children and families require the help of everybody, especially the private sector.

“We need a lot of resources for this program so we need all the help that we can get, not just from different government agencies. I’m calling on our fellow citizens in the corporate world to also take part in this initiative of the DSWD,” she said.