Parents face charges if kids go back to the streets again
Cebu city to implement P6-million program for ‘street families’
The next time their children are found loitering in the streets, the Cebu city government will file charges against the parents for criminal neglect.
That’s the gist of a committment signed by parents of over 40 streetchildren who were rescued after they were found sniffing rugby and hanging around in groups near bridges of barangay Banilad and Mabolo last week.
Dr. Ester Concha, in a press briefing, said parents of the minors were made to sign a commitment order before the chidren were released to them.
The parents were asked to appear before the Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) headed by Concha, and get a briefing on their constiutional duties towards their children.
“It was stated under the commitment that they will be punished if their children are still included in our future rescue operations,” Concha said.
Under the Child and Youth Welfare Code, for example, “Every child has the right to a wholesome family life that will provide him with love, care and understanding, guidance and counseling, and moral and material security.”
A parent is deemed to have criminal liability, for example, if he or she abandons the child or neglects the child by “not giving him the education which the family’s station in life and financial conditions permit.”
Under the code, acts like these are punishable by two to six months imprisonment and a fine or both.
Concha said the city govenrment set aside P6 million for a comprehensive plan for street families.
The plan will provide each street family a chance to avail of an education program for children and livelihood for the parents.
A memorandum of agreement between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Cebu City to implement the plan is ending approval before the City Counci.
Based on monitoring by her office, Concha admitted that some of the children they rescue usually go back to the streets.
The press briefing lities toward their children.
Laywer Jocelyn Pesquera, who heads the Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Board (CCAMB), said parents could be sanctioned for abandoning their children based on Republic Act (RA) 7610, or the
Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
Grace Luardo, head of the City Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Team (Ceset), said some girls who were housed in their office after the roundup last week reportedly said their parents don’t have time for them.
“Some parents are into illegal drugs. Some beat their children up. That’s why they kids don’t want to go home. Most of them are really problematic,” Luardo said, citing a boy who has refused to go back to his mother.
She said they profiled the 45 kids they rescued last week before releasing them. Six out of 10 minors in the roundup were boys.
Most of the children came from neighborhoods outside Banilad or Mabolo.
They came from barangays Zapatera and Kamagayan. Some were from outside Cebu City.
“The Banilad bridge is already cleared. Mabolo is our concern right now,” Luardo added.
Luardo’s team cleaned, dressed and fed the children before bringing them back to their homes.
Dr. Alice Utlang, head of the City Office for Substance Abuse and Prevention (Cosap), said they would need a court order to place children using illegal drugs in a rehabilitation center.
She said a local university’s college of psychology has promised to help the kids. /With Cebu Technological University Intern Marc Eric Cosep
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