DSWD willing to help kin of slain drug personalities drug

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) expressed concern yesterday on the possible trauma to families and children who saw their loved ones killed in illegal drug operations. 

“We have trained social workers and psychologists to help provide counseling and necessary foster care for the children who were able to witness the death of their parent or any relative,” DSWD Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera, in charge of the department’s Protective Services Program (PSP), said.

“However, it is still the responsibility of local social welfare development officers, under local government units, to be the first responders and to provide immediate comfort to the children. They may refer to us once their resources are not enough,” Cabrera said.

If it comes to a point where the child affected becomes orphaned or has no relative or custodian because of the anti-drugs campaign, the DSWD is ready to take them into custody by providing temporary care and shelter in DSWD-run centers and institutions or under community-based care support through foster care.

Cabrera also said drug surrenderees could be provided assistance through the PSP such as the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and their Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations Program, which could be tapped to support the needs of families whose heads of household surrendered to authorities or were killed because of the campaign against drugs.

“We offer livelihood and protective support for the families whose head of households were slain and for orphaned children, the DSWD provides educational support so that they will not be forced to become out-of-school youth,” Cabrera said.

Under the SLP, the DSWD partners with public and private institutions to provide training programs that will help enhance the skills of its participants to become self-sustaining and productive citizens.

The department also provides immediate financial assistance to affected families through its Crisis Intervention Unit, which offers burial, medical, education and transportation assistance.

Cabrera stressed these programs are not limited to families affected by the anti-drugs campaign and could be availed of by qualified poor families in crisis situation. – With Jess Diaz