Mandaue CSWS to closely monitor workers in kids’ shelter

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City Social Welfare Services (CSWS) office is planning to implement hands on monitoring on the activities of the staff in the city-run Hope of Mandaue Enhanced (HOME) Children’s Center, following the dismissal of a house parent for sexual abuse.

"Mo-duty didto (staff from CSWS office) twice a week, naa gyud mag-monitor," said Jessie Perez, officer-in-charge of CSWS0.

There are about 30 employees working at the city-run shelter which houses at least 75 children.

This move is just one of the changes the office plans to implement, aside from doing internal reorganization.

According to Perez, his staff and social workers will also undergo training on child protection policies next year.

Part of the changes they will implement is also to fully orient new applicants on their policies, particularly on handling sheltered children.

"We (also) have to come up with training sa among mga house parents on basic handling of children especially kanang medyo lisod gyud nga mga bata," Perez added.

Last Monday, Perez filed multiple complaints for acts of lasciviousness, rape, and violation of Republic Act 7610 or the "Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act” against Marlon Cabigin, 38, who allegedly sexually abused seven minors inside the shelter.

Cabigin, a resident of Barangay Jagobiao, started work last July as house parent assigned to tutor the children in the facility.

The abused children allege that Cabigin started sexually abusing them every day since November 21.

Cabigin initially denied the allegations against him but eventually admitted to his crimes. His contract as job order employee was immediately terminated.

Perez was appointed by Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing also in July this year after the former CSWS chief Violy Cavada retired from her post. (FREEMAN)