Street children enrolled in ALS

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines -— About 42 minors considered as street children are being prepared to be productive citizens as the city government here have enrolled them through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education (DepEd). Marge Navata, head of the Task Force for the Prevention and Protection of Street Vulnerable (TFPPSV) created by Mayor Belen Fernandez, told The STAR that the children have started attending a four-hour class twice a day since Jan. 15. Those from sitio Aling, sitio Arellano-Bani and sitio Boquig in Barangay Pantal will hold classes at the Doña Victoria Elementary School in Arellano St while those from Careenan, Poblacion Oeste will use the TFPPSV center as their school. Navata said they initially grouped the children, aged 14 to 17, for a basketball clinic and other activities and let them feel there is a group from the city government that truly cares for them. She said they encouraged them to enroll at ALS for a better future and become responsible citizens of the city.