DSWD-7 transfers lumad kids nearer to parents

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 has facilitated the transfer of the five indigenous people’s (IP) children or lumad kids from its facility in Cebu City to its facility in Region XII on April 10, 2021.

In a statement, DSWD-7 said that the five children were accompanied by social workers and house parents.

The transfer of the children to the DSWD run-facility in Region XII was agreed upon during a meeting in Cebu City with the children’s parents, representatives of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office of Lebak and Colombio, Sultan Kudarat, and DSWD-Field Office VII.

“This would make the children nearer to their parents who live in Sultan Kudarat,” it said.

It was also agreed during the meeting that the IP children should undergo further psycho-social processing and be provided with appropriate recovery and healing activities at a DSWD residential care facility.

On the other hand, the local government units of Lebak and Colombio will provide livelihood support to the children’s families and to look for a safer place for them to live in.

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 in February this year.

The DSWD-7 earlier clarified that it was a rescue operation and it was conducted in coordination with the LGU through its LSWDO as the first responder in protecting the welfare of minors under its jurisdiction.

Last March 11, 2021, the Regional Trial Court Branch 20 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 said minor was one of the six minors under DSWD-7 custody who were 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.

As the welfare arm of the government, the department 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 the children's rights are upheld at all times. — GMR (FREEMAN)