By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) continue to work together in raising the standards of caring for vulnerable and marginalized children in the Philippines by capacitating social workers and house parents in residential care centers and facilities. Co-implemented with A Child’s Trust is Ours to Nurture (ACTION), a Japanese non-profit organization, DSWD provides training program for house parents and social workers under the project "Ensuring Children’s Potential for Development and Independence Through Improved Residential Care Practices." The program, which is supported by JICA, aims to equip house parents and social workers with necessary knowledge, skills, and attitude in the proper parenting of children, is currently being implemented in Central Luzon and National Capital Region (NCR). Last year, 52 house parents from different residential care facilities managed by the DSWD, local government units (LGUs), and non-government organizations (NGOs) graduated from the training program—composed of 10 modules covering 10 critical areas of house parenting. This year, 54 house parents from 17 residential care facilities for children in NCR have successfully completed the training and received their certificates of completion in a ceremony organized by the DSWD and ACTION on Monday. "We should always strive for quality child care especially for the marginalized and vulnerable children whose future may be shaped by the love that we have provided to them," said DSWD Undersecretary for Protective Operations and Programs Group Mae Fe Ancheta-Templa JICA Philippines Senior Representative Aya Kano said JICA is glad to be working with the Philippines in ensuring the welfare of Filipino children and improving the knowledge and skill of Filipino social workers and house parents. "On behalf of JICA, we would like to reiterate our support to the next generation of Filipinos so they may have a better life ahead of them. We also continue to support the social workers and house parents under the project for them to become a role model in setting the excellence in caring for the children," Kano added. Meanwhile, ACTION Executive Director Lani Bayron-Llanes said, “House parents are responsible for the lives of about 10 or 20 children and I believe they have nothing but the best for them. You are heroes in the lives of the children." DSWD currently manages 64 residential care facilities located in 16 regions in the country where 27 centers take care of children in need of special protection. Among the services provided in the facilities include psychological, health, educational services, as well as social interventions and homelife services.