Rama wants kids’ facility improved; Osmeña reacts

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wants to develop the two-storey Parian Drop-In Center along Sikatuna Street to accommodate more rescued children in the city.

However, the government needs to coordinate first with those who run the drop-in center, said Councilor Margarita Osmeña, who chairs Children of Cebu Foundation, Inc. a non-government organization that manages the facility.

“Sa pila na ka-tuig, karon lang siya (Rama) nikalit og adto sa Parian Center,” Osmeña said, adding that she also visited the center after Rama did.

“Unsay tuyo niya? Basin nagtuo g’yud siya nga sila ang tag-iya. Ang nagpatukod diha ang syudad pero gipaklaro na man nga ang center, ang nagpadagan ana kay ang Children of Cebu Foundation, Inc.,” she added.

Rama visited the facility on September 14 together with City Administrator Dr. Lucelle Mercado and Department of Social Welfare and Services chief, Dr. Ester Concha.

“Since this also involves the city’s social services program, I have assigned Concha. Concha is also a member of the Cebu City Task Force on Street Children (the partner of CCFI in managing the center,)” she said.

Rama said he was prompted to visit the city following the series of rescue operations in the city involving street dwellers, street children, and solvent users, among others.

“I don’t want to comment with her because my concern is that we have a problem that we have to face,” Rama said of Osmeña’s comment.

Rama, who stood as a lawyer for street children as president of the Young Lawyers Association in his early years, said he shares the same thrust in protecting the children’s welfare.

“In what I have understood, it is not the city government that owns the center but the government-owned lot was donated to the foundation. So we will see if where the city can come in,” Rama said.

“I want all of these to be checked so that we can look for ways on how to help. We can reconstruct the building and provide additional floors to accommodate more rescued individuals,” he added, saying the city will provide the budget.

Osmeña said though that the city could not pursue with reconstructing the building since there is an existing lease of contract.

Though the center sits on a government-owned lot, it is covered by a 50-year lease of contract with the NGO.

“I think 25 years nalang or 24 years and kuwang,” said the councilor.

She said the rescued children can be accommodated at the facility, but the city needs to coordinate with the foundation first.

Rama insisted that the city may come in by supporting the facility’s reconstruction while the foundation continues to manage it.

“Dili dapat maghinangol, dapat you should be empowering. The city will provide a building, let it be run by an NGO,” he said.

At present, three City Hall employees are assigned at the center. Their compensation and other expenses such as water, food and other utilities are covered by the foundation. —/NSA (FREEMAN)