Lapu, Mandaue indigent kids treated to free rides

CHILD’S PLAY. Some of the indigent kids from Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities enjoy the free bumper car rides at Happy Miong Kids Park. (CDN PHOTO/ NORMAN V. MENDOZA)

NEARLY 200 indigent children from Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities were treated to a whole day of  free rides at the Happy Mong Kids Park  at Bridge Town Square in  Mandaue City yesterday.

As part of the celebration of Children’s Month in October, offices of the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Lapu-Lapu City  and Mandaue City Police Office sponsored the activity together with Happy Mong Park owners.

The indigent children were joined by the children of the police officers in riding kiddie boats, bumper cars, slides, 4D rider, merry-go-round, mini-train and electronic animal rides among others.

Mario Cabahug, vice-president of Happy Mong Kids Park said the facilities are safe for children.

He said the Korean owners offered free rides to the indigent kids who were identified as beneficiaries by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Good business

“We even teach  Filipino culture to our foreign guests to strengthen the ties of Koreans and Filipinos,” Cabahug said.

He said the Korean owners plan to build more amusement parks for Filipinos as well as other businesses.

Cabahug said the park enjoyed good patronage  especially on weekends and were booked days in advance by Korean families in Cebu.

“These free rides help ease stress for  both child victims and offenders,” said Insp. Judith Besas, chief of the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

Senior Insp. Mercy Villaro of the Mandaue City Police Office agreed, saying she hopes the Happy Mong Kids Park management continues to offer free rides to indigent children.