Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and Vice-Gov.Agnes Magpale pour cement for the groundbreaking of the Provincial Womens Crisis Center in Sudlon, Lahug.
(CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
After several failed attempts at starting the province’s own crisis center for women and children, the Cebu provincial government is on the right track to build one at sitio Sudlon, barangay Lahug in Cebu City.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Cebu Women and Children’s Center at sitio Sudlon, barangay Lahug and will cater to women and children victims of abuse. It is expected to be operational by July this year.
Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, co-chair of the Provincial Women’s Commission who spearheaded the project, said she attended three groundbreaking ceremonies for the project.
“That’s true. This is a dream come true for us at the PWC,” she told reporters yesterday.
The project was bidded out to TCI Tuanson, a contractor that handled a number of infrastructure projects in the province.
Pledged
The center can house 40 clients but is expected to house even more once it receives support from the national government.
The province initially allocated P10 million for the completion of a “functional” facility in five months, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) pledged another P10 million.
A 1,000-square-meter property behind the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) houses the site where the new crisis center will stand.
The main building is projected to be 492 sq. m. while three cottages and a chapel will also be built.
Declog
The vice governor said once the funds from the DSWD are released, the facility will be converted into a livelihood center.
She said the adults and the children will also have different quarters.
“This is the third time that we are launching this building. After talking to (Social Welfare) Sec. Corazon “Dinky” Soliman last year, I was assured that the national government will help us. We look forward to July as our inauguration,” she said.
Women and children victims whose cases are handled by the PWC are currently spread out in different facilities throughout the province or region.
Magpale said the province is helping finance the operation of these centers.
Monument to love
As soon as the new center in Lahug is put up, the vice governor said it will definitely declog the centers under the region.
“We pretty much well know how much this center is needed,” Magpale said.
Magpale said the need for a province-run crisis center for women and children was illustrated with the detention of 16-year-old “J” who got tangled in a series of petty crimes. The minor had to be transferred three times to different facilities in Cebu.
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