CSWDO, stakeholders convene to address issues on street children

• Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1351456819115/cswdo-stakeholders-convene-to-address-issues-on-street-children
• Tuesday, March 1, 2016

By Claro A.Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY, 01 Mar (PIA) – The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) together with other stakeholders convened yesterday to address the current social problems on the increasing number of street children and children at risk in the city, which was held at the conference hall, Senior Citizens Building, City Hall Complex.

One of the main agenda tackled during the meeting was the presentation of the CSWDO’s Comprehensive Plan for Street Children for the year 2016 which aims to minimize the presence of street children in the city.

Other stakeholders present were the Philippine National Police - Women and Children Protection Desk (PNP-WCPD), Department of Education- Alternative Learning System (DepEd-ALS), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), City Health Office, City Traffic Division, Sabakan, selected urban barangay chairmen/representatives with high incidence of street children, and non-government organizations.

CSWDO Children’s Center in charge Ms. Pilar Leslie S. Panduma presented the statistical data of street children served in 2015 as follows; Children’s Center – 40 male children, Lingap Center – 18 males and 10 females, and CSWDO (community-based) 21 males and 4 females with a total of 93 children.

As of December 31, 2015, sixty six (66) were released to their respective families, twenty two (22) absconded from the institutions and five (5) are still in the institution, Panduma added.

On the other hand, Ms. Teresita A. Roldan, CSWDO officer-in-charge expressed her gratitude to all the stakeholders present for their all-out support and contribution to the cause of the children. (ALT/CAL/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)