A Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) senior official reiterated on Monday, Sept. 9 that accessing services from the agency’s centers and residential care facilities (CRCFs) should be considered only as a last resort.
In a statement, DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, the agency’s spokesperson, emphasized the department’s commitment to preserving family ties and exploring all possible alternatives before considering institutional care.
“First of all, the DSWD values family ties, so all necessary measures and interventions must be exhausted before being admitted to a DSWD-managed center or facility,” Dumlao said.
She explained that individuals may be admitted to a DSWD-managed residential facility through a court order in specific cases, including children in conflict with the law (CICLs), those who have been physically or sexually abused, abandoned and neglected children, older persons, and women facing particularly challenging circumstances.
The DSWD spokesperson added that local government units (LGUs) can refer cases or individuals to the department, particularly when they require technical assistance from the agency or when a DSWD facility offers services that match the client’s needs.
“We would like to stress that our social workers carefully check if the referred individuals have relatives that can be trusted to take care of the client before being admitted to any CRCF. Again, we value family ties and we don't want the clients to be away from their families. There will be a client assessment and case conference to determine what interventions are needed before they are admitted to a residential care facility,” Dumlao said.
The agency’s CRCFs serve vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, including children, youth, women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other individuals and families in crisis.
“Currently, the DSWD operates 67 residential care facilities in 16 regions and seven non-residential care facilities,” Dumlao said.
The agency’s residential care facilities provide a range of interventions, such as social services, home life support, health and nutrition care, educational services, livelihood programs, cultural and recreational activities, and spiritual enrichment.
Meanwhile, non-residential care facilities provide support either daily or for part of the day, focusing on addressing crisis situations or developmental needs for individuals, groups, or families.
“Clients of non-residential care facilities have families to return to after a brief treatment or after undergoing developmental activities. The DSWD operates a total of seven non-residential care facilities in the National Capital Region, Regions 1 (Ilocos Region), 7 (Central Visayas), 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), and 12 (Soccsksargen),” Dumlao said.