Margot hits city’s street kid programs

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City acting mayor Margarita Osmeña has questioned the programs and the "lack of plans" for the street children in the city.

"Nobody can even give me answers when I ask why; you just look. Maybe this is all just a job to you," Osmeña said, addressing the representatives of different departments and non-government organizations in a meeting yesterday.

The meeting was held to primarily discuss the problem on street children as well as those children in conflict with the law.

"We have to know how we can come in," the acting mayor said, saying the city government should help the children instead of just pulling them out of the streets.

"It's always about the child, not about us who are having a job. We are a network not only of agencies but of actual people who share experiences," she said.

Redentor Betito, program coordinator of Cebu City Task Force on Street Children, said the meeting was supposed to be attended by 25 agencies buts only 20 attended.

One of those who were not around during the meeting was Dr. Ester Concha, chief of the city's Department of Social Welfare and Services. Osmeña even took notice of Concha's absence yesterday.

Osmeña, who chairs Children of Cebu Foundation Inc., said they have been coordinating with CCTFSC in providing educational assistance, residential care and other psycho-social intervention for the children's growth and development.

"We cannot deny the fact that there are a lot of street children, even families," she said.

According to the acting mayor, for months now, there have been no plans for the children and as to what happens to them after getting "rescued" from the streets.

A representative of DSWS said children who still have their families are being returned after getting "rescued" while those who do not have are being sheltered in centers.

Anecita Suico, team leader of DSWS' Child Protection Unit and also focal person of the department's Comprehensive Program for Street Children, said the national office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development has given them a budget of P2.8 million in January.

The budget was intended for the P2,000 monthly salary of 10 Child Welfare Assistants (CWA) and 30 park attendants and for their programs such as educational assistance, Balik-Probinsya, livelihood for parents of the street children, community service, house repair and feeding program.

According to Suico, CWAs are home-based teachers and volunteers helping the beneficiaries per center.

She said that with the help of the programs, they hope to reduce the number of street children while still helping them.

But if such programs exist, why do children keep on coming back on the streets, asked Senior Inspector Arieza Velasco Otida, chief of the Women's and Children Protection Center of the Cebu City Police Office.

"If there are programs for them, nganong magbalik-balik man sila? I find this problem very prevalent right now," she said.

She said their unit rescues the same kids everyday and it has become a cycle.

Aside from shelter, the need for education is also a problem for these young people, she said.

Based on their statistics, according to Otida, more than 700 street children were reported including those who were abused in 2014. The number has gone beyond 900 in 2015, she said.

"PNP (Philippine National Police) finds this very alarming. Di 'ni mahimo og usa ra ka ahensya so kinahanglan magtinabangay ta," Otida said.

Otida said that DSWD-7 has promised to provide food being a basic need, but it would be much better if clothing is also provided.

"It's a relief to know that something has been done," Osmeña, meanwhile, responded.

Betito also said that they have been conducting annual sports fest for the street children at the SOS Children's Village Cebu in Talamban.  — (FREEMAN)