The Quezon City government announced on Saturday, Nov. 26, that its Task Force Sampaguita (TFS) rescued 377 individuals, including 167 children in street situations (CISS), during the city-wide reach out operation it launched on Thursday, Nov. 24.
The city wide reach out operation of the TFS aims to rescue child laborers, medicants (beggars), and street dwellers. It was conducted in 36 identified areas in the city.
According to the city government, the rescued individuals were brought to the Quezon Memorial Circle Covered Court and were interviewed and assessed by social workers.
It added that legal assistance, medical check-up, Covid-19 vaccination and testing, drug testing, and other city services were also made available for rescued individuals who needed immediate intervention.
The Task Force Sampaguita, headed by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte herself, is the city’s inter-agency body that protects children from exploitation. It was created last Sept. 9, through the Executive Order No. 41, Series of 2022.
The TFS is composed of the different city government departments, including the Office of the City Mayor, Social Services Development Department (SSDD), Public Employment and Services Office (PESO), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS), QC Health Department (QCHD), Task Force Disiplina, Transport and Traffic Management Department (TTMD), City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU), Quezon Memorial Circle Administration, QC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QCDRRMO), General Services Department (GSD), QC Anti-Drug Abuse and Advisory Council (QCADAAC), Barangay and Community Relations Department (BCRD), City Legal Department, QC Bangsamoro Affairs Service, Public Affairs and Information Services Department (PAISD), and the barangays.
The city government said the reach out operations were based on barangay reports and referrals.
Aside from the interviews and assessments, social workers and youth volunteers will also conduct an orientation to the rescued children and will prepare initial assessment reports to facilitate their turn-over to other local government units or institutions.
For the CISS living in Quezon City, the SSDD will conduct home visits to inform parents with regards to their children’s condition, the city government said.
They will also conduct “Parenting Capability Assessments” and case conferences with barangays and parents to further discuss the services or interventions needed by individuals or their families, it added.
After the children returned to their families, the city will also continue to monitor them for aftercare interventions.
The rescued individuals can also be referred to the Quezon City Processing Center in Brgy. NS Amoranto for the general population, Bahay Kalinga for minors, Bahay Aruga for the senior citizens, and other processing centers in the city.
The city govenrment said that those who are not from Quezon CIty will be referred to the social welfare offices of the local government unit of the city where they are permanent residents.
Read more: QC LGU launches city-wide rescue operation for child laborers, street dwellers