One of the 28 rescued children plays at the Pari-an Drop-in Center, (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
THE Cebu City government is adopting a new way in rescuing street children from the city’s streets through its Operation Gugma.
This was implemented during last Wednesday’s rescue operation where street children would be convinced of a better life and not forced to be taken off the streets.
Redentor Betito, executive director of the Commission for the Welfare and Protection of Children (CWPC), said that unlike the previous rescue operations, last Wednesday’s operation was different since they did not force the youth to come with them.
Operation Gugma is a rescue operation conducted by joint team from the police, nongovernment organizations and the city government.
They succeeded in taking 28 children off the streets.
The group of six vehicles went around some streets of the city where children are mostly seen during night time, particularly along Manalili, Carbon, Fuente Osmeña, Redemptorist Church, Colon, Mango and North Reclamation Area, near a big mall.
The youngest of those who were rescued was three years old while the oldest was 15 years old. Four of the 28 rescued children were still under custody of the center because they were sick and did not own any house.
Last Thursday also, another five children went back to the center and opted to avail the temporary shelter.
“We really asked them if they want to go with us, go to the center and told them that we will offer something that can help their lives improve,” he said.
Before releasing the children, Betito said parents were asked what help they wanted from the city government.
Betito said they were offered employment and livelihood so they can provide a better life for their children and prevent them from going back to the streets.
He said 10 parents will be employed by the city as park attendants, which could help at least 23 children from loitering the streets.
Since they wanted to be on the streets most of the time, Betito said park attendants would be the best employment for these parents.
As part of their tasks, they will maintain the cleanliness of different parks assigned to them including center islands of several roads.
Betito said that nine of the 23 children will be offered with education assistance. Another five parents availed of the livelihood program of the city.