DSWD-7 ensures care of remaining ‘lumad’ kids

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 has continued providing services to the remaining five children of indigenous people in its facility.

“Since the admission of the IP children at the facility, the DSWD-7 has ensured that social welfare and development services are provided to them,” the department said in a statement.

The five IP or lumad children were among the 26 children who study under the Lumad Bakwit School housed at the University of San Carlos in Talamban, Cebu City but were “raided” by the police last month.

The DSWD-7 earlier clarified that it was a rescue operation and it was conducted in coordination with the local government unit through its local social welfare and development office as the first responder in protecting the welfare of minors under its jurisdiction.

Last March 11, 2021, the Regional Trial Court has ordered DSWD-7 for the immediate release of a minor under their custody and to return the same to the father’s custody.

The minor was one of the six minors under DSWD-7 custody who was released on March 12, 2021.

At the center, the department said that the children are provided with homelife, health care, personal hygiene, spiritual enhancement services, stress management exercises food, clothing, and shelter; hygiene supplies/toiletries and hair trimming.

Aside from these, DSWD-7 said that the social worker and houseparent guided them in their recreation time that includes movie viewing, singing, and group games.

It said that social workers and houseparents also join and interact with the children during their time to listen to religious/inspirational songs and in the activities that help manage stress like relaxation techniques and zumba exercises.

The DSWD social worker, whose mandate is to enhance the overall well-being of these children, also conducts psycho-social processing sessions with the children to help them express their thoughts and feelings through drawing, journal writing, talking, and playing.

The children are also exposed to household chores and help in the food preparation as part of their home life activities while at the center, it said.

“The center is a substitute home for children where the social workers and the houseparents of DSWD serve as their alternate parents. It is not a place of confinement, detention or prison,” the department said.

As the welfare arm of the government, the agency ensures that children are given what is due them and advocates for their best interest citing that in one of their writing activities, the children expressed that their stay at the center is okay and the staff members are good and treat them well.

The department further assured the public and the children’s families of the assistance within its mandate to ensure that children’s rights are upheld at all times. —GMR (FREEMAN)