DSWD to determine best alternative family care for kids abused by father

From the Department of Social Welfare and Development

Parental abuse victims’ recovery is of high priority with the DSWD; extensive steps are being taken to ensure their care and well-being.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is currently assessing the best alternative family care for the children who were physically abused by their father in Cupang, Muntinlupa.[1]

The children are now with Saklolo at Gabay ng Ina at Pamilya (SAGIP), a center managed by the Local Government of Muntinlupa. They also went through an initial psycho-social assessment and counselling at the Philippine General Hospital.

Meanwhile, DSWD is coordinating with the (City Social Welfare and Development Office) CSWDO to locate the whereabouts of the mother. While the mother is still unavailable, the children are to remain under the custody of the State where they will receive adequate care until their mother or a suitable guardian is found.

“Patuloy kaming nakikipagtulungan sa CSWDO para sa paghahanap ng nanay ng bata. Isasailalim din natin siya sa counseling at assessment upang malaman kung may kakayahan siyang alagaan ang kanyang mga anak (We are currently working with the CSWDO to trace the whereabouts of the mother. We will conduct counseling sessions with the mother to assess her capacity in caring for her children),” DSWD-National Capital Region Director Alicia R. Bonoan said.

Director Bonoan added that the future of the children is the paramount consideration of the Department. She said that extensive psycho-social intervention should be provided to the children to ensure that they will recover from their traumatic experience.

dswd.gov.ph

____________________

[1] The case went viral when a video was uploaded on social media, showing the father, Rolando San Juan, hitting one of his children.