CEBU, Philippines – With the number of street children in Mandaue City growing, Mayor Jonas Cortes has challenged the City Social Welfare Office (CSWO) to get them off the streets before his term ends next year.
"I am issuing a challenge to our (CSWO) to get these children off the streets. Give them a shelter where they are protected and loved and where they can be on their way to a brighter future through education, all before the end of my term," said Cortes in his State of the City’s Children address last Friday.
Cortes said in order for the said office to do it, they should “understand the plight” of these children, and “set out a plan of action for each of them and execute it with passion.”
Cortes gave the speech during the culminating ceremony of the Children’s Month at the Mandaue City Session Hall.
He said there are several street children loitering in the city ‘s Centro (center), who are blamed for causing troubles.
He said many are irritated by their presence while some get angry.
“But what pushed them to be where they are now? What drove them to do the things they do? These children are just a few of the many nameless children who we often think are perpetuators. In reality, they are not perpetuators. They are victims of abuse and of neglect by those who are supposed to givem them shelter and love,” he said.
“They are victims of mediocrity by those whose job is to provide them with the same shelter and love where the parents cannot. They are victims of apathy by a community that dismisses and rejects them out of fear,” he added.
Cortes told the CSWO to just do the job, and that if these children run away, they should go after them; and if they hide, see to it that they find them.
He also asked the city government workers and non-government organizations to help in partnering with the city in finding ways to improve the lives of these children.
“I have to admit, it is very frustrating for me to see these children still on the streets when they should be in a home safe and protected,” the mayor said.
“It is our collective job to be good examples. Children learn from imitating what they see us do. Eventually, they become who we are,” he said. (FREEMAN)