DSWD launches Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1008135
• Monday, May 21, 2018

By Lucia F. Broño (LFB/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, May 21 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently launched the Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children (CEPC) at the DSWD Auditorium, Batasan Hills, Quezon City.

CEPC was a collaborative effort of different national government agencies (NGAs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) led by DSWD to ensure the welfare and protection of children during emergencies brought about by natural and man-made calamities in accordance with Republic Act (RA) No. 10821 or the ‘Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act’.

DSWD Acting Secretary Virginia N. Orogo said they welcome the establishment of the comprehensive program to protect and ensure the safety of our children as children are among the vulnerable groups gravely affected during disasters and emergencies.

“We have to exert continuous efforts to ensure that no child will fall victim to any form of abuse, harassment, exploitation, trafficking, negligence, and violence. We must also ensure that they will be given priority during the rehabilitation and recovery phases through the provision of effective and immediate programs and services that will cater to their holistic needs,” Orogo said.

The launching was highlighted by the presentation of CEPC booklets by several children to National Inter-Agency Committee (NIAC) heads led by CEPC Champion DSWD Assistant Secretary Michelle Ortega-Pimentel, Save the Children CEO Alberto Muyot and DSWD USEC Hope Hervilla.

Another highlight of the activity was the symbolic pledge of commitment by NIAC heads.

The nationwide implementation of the CEPC increases the accountability of local and national agencies to prioritize the enactment of RA 10821 and to improve the delivery of assistance to children and other vulnerable groups during disasters and calamities, which includes child-centered trainings for disaster responders and local service providers.

Aside from the delivery of assistance, the CEPC aims to ensure that child-friendly and appropriate informational materials will be disseminated to introduce children to concepts on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

The CEPC program features the following components which will be implemented at the national and local levels: establishment of safe, inclusive, child-friendly, gender-sensitive, and responsive evacuation centers; establishment of child and women-friendly transitional shelters, and a referral mechanism for orphaned, unaccompanied, and separated children;

It also assures delivery of immediate basic necessities and services; stronger measures to ensure safety and security of affected children; delivery of health, medical, and nutritional services; plan of action for prompt resumption of educational services for children; establishment of child-friendly spaces in evacuation centers and transitional sites; and promotion of children’s rights during disaster and emergency situations are upheld, respected, and protected.