Ceremonial cutting of the ribbon for the RSCC, now bigger, with funding not only from the CRCF Fund but donations from the Spanish Association of Adoptive Families in the Philippines and the Wereldkenderin of Netherlands. It has a separate structure for play area, toddlers room, nursery, and even two guest rooms. Shown are Secretary Rolando Bautista, Undersecretary Camilo Gudmalin, Director Marie Angela Gopalan, and Director Restituto Macuto. The Secretary is all praises, saying that all of the facilities could pass for Level 2 0r 3 accreditation. Home for Girls O.I.C. Delia Aguirre leads Fr. Danny Pongos to one of the bedrooms. Shown is the receiving area of the new three-storey haven for disadvantaged women. Behind Fr. Danny Pongos (the administering priest) is Merne Gadin, OIC, and Director Restituto Macuto (extreme right). The old structure of the Regional Haven will solely be for the Administration Office.
| Tacloban City, November 12 – After taking a round inside the DSWD Institution Comples in Pawing, Palo, visiting DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista expressed joy over the expansion and improvement of three residential care facilities which had its inauguration and blessing rites yesterday. In his speech, he told the DSWD Field Office VIII staff, “you are now able to see the fruits of your labor. Ang centers at residential care facilities ay isa sa mga pinakamahalagang serbisyo ng ahensiya.” With such milestone, Secretary Bautista emphasized that it would mean, “lalong mapapabuti ang ating pagkalinga sa mga kabataan at kababaihan” (we will be able to care for our women and children far more better). “You should count your blessings; compare other children in the streets. You are safe here pero mas lalong masaya kung makakalabas na kayo (more happier if you will be out) – #WalangForever.” He added that DSWD will help build them to become assets of the community. The Secretary also congratulated the “men and women behind the milestone,” like DSWD Undersecretary Camilo Gudmalin who fought at the Senate and Congress for a Php5 B budget intended for the repair, reconstruction and rehabilitation of facilities, under the Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCF) Infrastructure Project. It resulted into DSWD being able to generate Php2.3 B from the funds of Senators Loren Legarda and Nancy Binay, for the agency’s 71 centers nationwide. The top official also cited former DSWD Regional Director, Restituto Macuto, of Region VIII who is now the National Program Manager of the agency’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Director Macuto came over to witness the event as he has been the overseer of the project since it started in year 2017. Of course, Secretary Bautista also lauded DSWD Regional Director Marie Angela Gopalan for her current leadership and determination to complete the four centers, including that of the Regional Rehabilitation Center (RRCY) in Barangay Sto. Nino in Tanauan, Leyte which was inaugurated last September 27 of this year. Undersecretary Gudmalin for his part said in part, “what you see in your centers reflect the DSWD. It is a tangible proof of our ‘malasakit’ (compassion), the realization of our vision. We should not stop striving for excellence.” He added that what they have just seen are “ hotel-like facilities,” stating that it is only right to provide “luxury to those who need it most.” The three newly – inaugurated centers have now one-star apartment accommodations, complete with airconditioning units, and have bigger capacities. For instance, the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) can accommodate 45 abandoned, orphaned, abused and exploited kids (six years old and below). Originally, it can only have 35 children under their care. At the moment, there are 24 children. For the Home for Girls, from a 60 – bed capacity, it has turned to 75, for this residential facility for sexually abused and exploited seven to 17-year-old girls. The Regional Haven, meanwhile, has now a three-storey dormitory that could house 25 women and 15 dependents where before, it could only accommodate a total of 25. Right now, there are nine young women and four children under its care. For all of these facilities, each has a separate room for persons-with-disabilities, counselling/therapy room, better and more bath/rest rooms, an industrial kitchen, and commercial laundry. There are function rooms for activities and roof decks, too. Included in the blessing were three ambulances for the centers. Protective Services Division Chief, Ofelia Pagay, of the DSWD Field Office VIII said in her brief orientation that the residents, indeed, will have a more pleasant, comfortable, and safe place to say. And after the destruction made by super typhoon Yolanda’s wrath, the Institution Complex has now a new face.# |