CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama wants to develop the existing Parian Drop-in Center into a three- or four-story facility to accommodate more street children.
At the same time, he wants an agreement between the city and the center as well as a representative from City Hall to oversee its operations.
“There is in Labangon (a center being built). But maybe we can look at the area there in Parian. I want that checked as to exactly how big is the lot there,” Rama told reporters.
Mayor Rama made the decision after he visited the drop-in center run by non-government organization Children of Cebu Foundation Inc. on Monday afternoon.
The foundation is chaired by City Councilor Margot Osmeña, a known child welfare advocate.
Last week, 45 street children spotted sniffing rugby were rounded up from shanties located under bridges in barangays Mabolo and Banilad.
Agreement
Rama said he ordered City Administrator Lucelle Mercado and Dr. Ester Concha to look into the papers in relation to the center and the lot where it stands.
He said the city government should support the Parian Drop-In Center and it’s better for an NGO to run it rather than the government since it may only affect its operations especially during the elections.
But Rama said there should be an agreement between the city and the NGO as well as a representative from City Hall sitting in the NGO board to oversee its operation.
Councilor Osmeña said she was surprised by Rama’s visit since it was the first time that he went to the center.
She said the lot is owned by the city but the center has a 50-year lease contract with the city that’s covered by a resolution.
Lease contract
“Maybe he thought it’s the city that constructed the building. The lot is owned by the city but it’s covered by a lease contract which is covered by a resolution. It’s for 50 years and I think 24 or 25 years still remain,” she said.
Osmeña said since there’s a lease contract by the NGO, the city can’t just extend the building or create another floor on it.
She said while the center isn’t against the idea of bringing more street children to the facility, there should be a prior agreement.
Osmeña said the city also has to consider that the facility has some children being admitted by the NGO.
“If there are new children rescued, why shouldn’t we receive them? But it should not be to the detriment of the residents who are already there,” she said.
Advocacies
For example, Osmeña said children who are rescued and are high on drugs can’t be admitted in the facility since they may influence other kids.
She said these youths can be admitted once they are rehabilitated.
Right now, the Parian Drop-in center acts as the hub for 30 other NGOs specializing in different types of child welfare advocacies.
The children brought there are referred to other partner NGOs that deal with children depending on their conditions.
Osmeña said there are three City Hall employees assigned in the facility including its security guards.
But she said it’s the foundation that pays for their salaries and takes care of all expenses on food and utilities.