Efforts to round up Mandaue street children continue

CEBU, Philippines – The Mandaue City government has been rounding up young people in the streets as part of its efforts to give them a better place to stay and get themselves rehabilitated.

Superintendent Julian Entoma of Mandaue City Police Office said they were able to rescue 35 children last week. The youngest to be rescued was a six-year-old boy.

He said they had also earlier rescued a few children and that in the coming days, they will continue doing the same.

Entoma said some of these kids were "rugby boys" and "vulca boys" or those who sniff sealant products. He said they were then turned over to the City Social Welfare Office (CSWO) for proper action.

He said kids who had homes to go were delivered to their parents while those who had none were sent to the city's Children's Center in Barangay Basak.

The police officer explained that from rugby, street children of both sexes have turned to Vulcaseal, hence they are called "vulca boys/girls." Vulcaseal is a product brand mainly used in sealing holes in roofs.

Entoma said even before the Children's Center gets completed, it is already full of children, mostly juvenile delinquents. The facility's Phase 2 is yet to be constructed.

He also said he would suggest to the City Council to craft a law which also makes the parents of these children liable for neglect. But he said that while child abuse could be used against the parents, the implication of charging them could also further compromise the future of the kids.

He said charging the parents may only result to their imprisonment and will separate them from their child or children.

He said his proposal would be to put the parents in a center where they will be lectured on good parenting, and trained with various skills which they can use in looking for livelihood.

He said this may mean additional expenses to the city, but its positive effect can be long-term.

In his state of the children's address, Mayor Jonas Cortes last month challenged the CSWO and public officials to clear the streets of homeless children before his term ends next year. (FREEMAN)