The Malabon City government took care of an abandoned baby boy who was found inside a red eco bag on Santos Road, McArthur Highway in Barangay Potrero, Malabon City, on Dec. 23, the Malabon City government said on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
In Photos: Mayor Jeannie Sandoval is holding the baby in her arms and transferring to the CSWDD personnel (Photo from Mayor Jeannie Sandoval)
Mayor Jeannie Sandoval personally visited the baby in San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital on Tuesday, Jan. 7., to check on the child’s condition and ensure his well-being.
"Bilang Ina ng Lungsod ng Malabon, labis po nating ikinalulungkot ang nangyaring ito. Naniniwala po tayo na bawat bata ay may karapatang mabuhay, mabigyan ng tamang kalinga at paggabay. Sa kabila ng insidenteng ito, agad tayong gumawa ng mga paraan upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng sanggol. Nawa ay lumaki ka bilang isang malusog at mabait na bata (As the Mother of Malabon, we are deeply saddened by this incident. We believe that every child has the right to live, to receive proper care, and guidance. Despite this incident, we acted swiftly to ensure the safety of the baby. May you grow up to be a healthy and kind child)," she said.
The city’s Social Welfare and Development Department (CSWDD) said that the baby was diagnosed as a moderate preterm with low birth weight.
After receiving treatment at San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital, the baby was transferred to the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) in Quezon City, where he will receive medical care, nutrition, psychological assistance, and social services.
CSWDD personnel collaborated with several agencies, including the Malabon City Police Station (MCPS), San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital, Malabon Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), Ospital ng Malabon (OsMal), City Health Department (CHD), Local Civil Registry, and Potrero Barangay Council for the Protection of Children, to ensure the baby’s safety and well-being.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the baby received immediate care from hospital staff, and barangay health workers were assigned to monitor him.
The local government nursing aides also provided care and assistance.
The baby was given medicine and breast milk from the milk bank at Ospital ng Malabon, while clothing and other essentials were donated by the parents of other babies in the hospital.
The Local Civil Registry and CSWDD processed the necessary documents for the baby’s transfer to the RSCC where his immediate needs will be met, and his recovery will be supported, ultimately leading to his placement in a loving home.
Investigation revealed that the baby was found by a concerned citizen on Santos Road, McArthur Highway at around 6:40 a.m. on Dec. 23.
The baby was wrapped in a black shirt and left inside a red eco bag.
"Patuloy po nating tutukan ang insidenteng ito upang masiguro ang maayos na paglaki ng bata. Dito sa ating Lungsod, prayoridad natin ang kaginhawaan at kaayusan ng buhay ng bawat residente, ano man ang edad. Nandito ang pamahalaang lungsod upang umalalay sa kanya (We will continue to monitor this situation to ensure the child grows up well. In Malabon, the well-being of every resident, regardless of age, is a priority. The local government is here to support him),” City Administrator Dr. Alexander Rosete said.