Knocking on the hearts of some 45 barangay chairmen of Dulag municipality of Leyte to faithfully adopt a strategy of the DSWD, the Kalinga at Aruga Para sa Mga Bata sa Barangay was launched Monday, February 26, 2018 at the Municipal Hall of same town.

The project is aimed at promoting the implementation of Foster Care Service in a Barangay, with a pool of at least 10 foster parents who will provide a planned substitute parental care to abandoned, neglected and other children in need of temporary parental care. These children may either come from the centers and institutions or referred/rescued from the community/street.

Dulag Mayor, CPA-lawyer Mildred Joy Sia Que, is supportive of this project as she told barangay officials in the recently – conducted orientation to help spread the word on the value of Foster Care Service in their respective communities. She stated that once there is a band of DSWD – licensed foster parents in the locality, it is now easy to find a temporary home for a child with special needs. 

However, the Mayor said that if ever a child is a victim of sexual abuse and his/her life is threatened, the minor can be placed, for the time being, in a foster family from a nearby municipality.

Reyschel Balase, focal person for Foster Care Service of the DSWD Field Office VIII, pointed out that another important thing to consider under this strategy is that it will prevent local social workers from bringing the child to their own home due to the absence of the child caring agency in their locality or referral to the concerned agencies cannot be facilitated immediately during holidays or weekend.

Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer, Mildred Matol, meanwhile said the incidence of child sexual abuse is becoming alarming such that CHILD PROTECTION is a priority for the municipality. She also said that, “we are seeking your commitment from your personal level,” which Balase added, are for those who have really the heart to take care a child, not of their own.

Other speakers in this half-day activity held yesterday, February 26, 2018, at the Municipal Hall were Gilda Tambio, Alternative Parental Care Program in-charge, who discussed Republic Act 9523. The law requires certification from the DSWD to declare a child legally available for adoption. Josamae Merencillo, who is the Adoption Program focal, talked on the Domestic Adoption Act of 2012, in same activity. #DSWDMayMalasakit#DSWDParaSaNakakarami