THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development XI Reception and Study Center for Children continues to provide care for neglected and abandoned children, now sheltering 45.
During the Madayaw Davao on Friday, Feb. 14, Reda Grace Bio, DSWD XI RSCC social welfare officer, revealed most of the sheltered children are those referred by their parents who couldn’t care for them.
“Kaning 45 nagka lain-lain ang case category, pinakadaghan sa amoa mga temporary lang nga gibilin sa ginikanan sulod sa 4-6 months and maximum of 1 year, tungod sa kapit-os sa kinabuhi,” Bio said.
The RSCC is a 24-hour residential facility providing social work interventions, and rehabilitation services through temporary residential care to neglected, abandoned, abused, and exploited children and those with special needs aged 0-6 years old.
Documents required for admission include a referral letter from the local government unit, case summary, certificate of live birth, medical abstract/ certificate, medico-legal for sexual/physical abuse, and Police/Barangay blotter and affidavit of finder or referring party if abandoned/foundling.
The regional center, located in the Southern Philippines Medical Center, also hired 28 house parents to provide children with food, clothing, and shelter as well as well-organized activities providing a family-like experience to meet the physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual needs of children.
Services offered include psychological services for 5-6-year-olds, medical services for children, and sociocultural and recreational activities to keep the children entertained.
On top of that, children aged 4-6 years old are enrolled in basic education schools to provide them with education even inside the center.
Since the center only caters to 0-6 years old, once the child reaches age seven, they will be referred to the regional alternative child care office, the attached agency of DSWD in charge of foster care and adoption.
Bio said this is to provide continued care for children in custody, while they are awaiting adoptive and foster parents.
The official revealed plans to expand in Tagum City for a bigger space to cater to more children in crisis as the current facility in SPMC only has a 1,231 sqm lot, which limits children’s activities.
