Though late in the evening, Social Welfare Secretary, Judy Taguiwalo, visited yesterday, November 7, the DSWD’s Regional and Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) at Barangay Sto. Nino, Tanauan, Leyte. One of the center’s social workers, Demetria Durano, perished at the height of the storm while about to render duty.
RRCY’s Center Head, Marcela Lim, revealed that it has been three years that they have been offering a yearly commemoration of the death of their co – worker, at the center. She said that by doing so, it all the more enhances their “samahan” (oneness).
Secretary Taguiwalo, on the other hand, expressed mixed feelings of admiration and condolences at what had happened. Lim bared that the youth – residents really struggled as the storm surge reached to a ceiling high. She, however, said that these young people under their care have underwent trainings on disaster preparedness.
The simple gathering at this temporary home for Children-In-Conflict-with-Law (CICL) was highlighted with a mini-concert by some of the 54 residents. They sang meaningful songs as “Heal the World,” and an original composition – “Salamat, Kaibigan” written by two of its residents.
Said composition is an entry to the songwriting competition organized by the Juvenile Justice Welfare Council on occasion of the forthcoming Juvenile Justice Consciousness Week that starts November 21.
In closing, the Secretary said to the youth – “Ito ay panahon ng pagbabago, ng paghihintay. Mahaba pa kinabukasan niyo. Ipa-unlad ang kakayahan ninyo para magkaroon ng katuparan ang inyong pangarap.” ( This is a time for change, of waiting. There is still a long future ahead of you. Develop your skills so your dreams will be fulfilled.)
The residents of this 80 – bed capacity facility have been undergoing various skills such as baking, carpentry, food processing and preservation, among others. They have gone into music and organized themselves into a band but all their drums, guitars, and the whole set were totally wrecked by the killer typhoon.# #DSWDMayMalasakit @dswdserves