16 CICL receive cash aid from city

CEBU, Philippines - At least 16 children in conflict with the law have received financial assistance from the Cebu City government yesterday.

The City Department of Social Welfare and Services, which distributed the cash aid, gave P3,000 to CICL who were high school students and P2,500 to CICL attending elementary.

The children were from barangays Guadalupe, Ermita, Mabolo, Toong, San Jose, Malubog, Talamban and Basak San Nicolas.

DSWS chief Ester Concha said the 16 children belonged to poor families.

She said the cash assistance, the second since last year’s first distribution, is aimed at helping the parents in the expenses of their children especially those that are school-related.

“Gitagaan gamay nga assistance para makaabag-abag sa ilahang mga gamit sa eskuylahan,” said Concha.

According to her, the children committed petty crimes such as stealing.

“Kanang sa kawad-on ba, moundang tungod kay way bawon. (They committed) mga kawat, petty crimes,” she said.

One of the beneficiaries, a 14-year-old girl, promised to behave from now on and continue her study to achieve her dream of becoming a teacher.

“Magtinarong na gyud ko og skwela. Dili nako moundang,” she said. She stopped from school for two years owing to financial constraints.

It was also her mother’s dream for her.

“First year high school ra ko, wala gyud ko kahuman.  Gusto g’yud nako sa akong anak nga mamahimong maestra,” said the mother.

According to her, she and her husband do not have stable jobs to meet the daily needs of the family. They have eight children – five of them are studying.

“Manguling ra akong bana. Ako, kung naay butong, isuroy. Kun naa pu’y saging, ako pud isuroy,” the mother said.

Concha said that with the help of the police and the barangay, they are monitoring the children to prevent them from further committing crimes. These children have also undergone the agency’s diversion program.

At least 142 children are currently undergoing constant counseling and monitoring of DSWS.

The DSWS chief said they intervene when a police officer, a prosecutor, or a parent calls them about a minor caught violating the law. — Mechelle P. Florita/NSA (FREEMAN)