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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gatchalian to gov't: Uphold children's welfare in post-Odette relief efforts

Gatchalian to gov't: Uphold children's welfare in post-Odette relief efforts

Published Dec 23, 2021 03:01 pm

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday called on the government to uphold the safety and welfare of children in areas hit by Typhoon Odette.

In particular, Gatchalian took to task the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in ensuring that the needs of the children in these typhoon-ravaged areas are taken care of.

Aside from providing child-friendly spaces, Gatchalian said there is an urgency of meeting the children’s health, nutrition, and psychosocial needs, among others.

The Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, also emphasized the need to provide health and sanitation kits to them since COVID-19 remains a threat to public health.

"Hinaharap ng maraming mga kabataan ngayon ang pinagsamang panganib na dulot ng pandemya at pinsala ng bagyong Odette (Many of our young people now are facing a combined threat brought about by the pandemic and the damage wrought by Odette),” Gatchalian said in a statement.

“Mahalagang matutukan natin ang pangangailangan nila pagdating sa kalusugan at kaligtasan, kabilang na ang ligtas na pagpapatuloy ng kanilang edukasyon at iba pang mga serbisyo (It’s very important that we are able to meet their needs when it comes to health and safety includng their continuous education and other social services)," said Gatchalian.

Under the 2021 General Appropriations Act, the senator said P2-billion is allotted to the DepEd's Quick Response Fund (QRF), which serves as a stand-by fund for the replacement, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or repair of school buildings and facilities.

He also said the QRF may also be used for the printing and reproduction of damaged learning modules and materials.

Gatchalian also said there is a need to ensure that rehabilitation efforts are also focused on the resumption of education services.

With the DepEd eyeing the expansion of limited face-to-face classes in January next year, the lawmaker said the safety of schools in Odette-hit areas should also be prioritized.

According to the DepEd, around 15 million learners in 35,698 schools were affected by the recent typhoon and 671 schools are being used as evacuation centers.

Related Tags

deped Sherwin Gatchalian DSWD odette children in evacuation centers doh
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