Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday, Feb. 13 met with Bantay Bata 163 representatives as part of the agency’s collaboration with private institutions to strengthen DSWD’s social protection programs for children.
In his meeting with the representatives of Bantay Bata 163, Gatchalian’s specific goal was to strengthen the collaboration between DSWD and ABS-CBN’s non-profit child welfare program to better meet the needs of Filipino children in crisis situations.
According to him, DSWD’s assistance does not end in placing “children-at-risk” in the agency’s Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCFs).
However, Gatchalian said the success of the program can be seen in the preparation of children for possible foster care, integration, and independent living.
The DSWD chief also proposed to Bantay Bata 163 to review and evaluate the CRCFs to increase the quality of its service.
On Feb. 7, Gatchalian visited nine of the 13 CRCFs managed by the DSWD-National Capital Region.
These facilities are the Reception and Study Center for Children, Golden Reception and Action Center for the Elderly and Other Special Cases, National Vocational Rehabilitation Center, Rehabilitation Sheltered Workshop, and Bahay Silungan in Quezon City; and Sanctuary Center, Nayon ng Kabataan, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking-Trafficked-in-Persons Center, and Jose Fabella Center in Mandaluyong City.
Gatchalian said the visit was mainly to see the living conditions of the different sectors served by the DSWD.
“If we will conduct reach out, we need to make sure that they will feel our compassion. The residential care centers should be livable and comfortable,” he said.