SOCIAL Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has ordered the Subic Bay Children’s Home, Inc. (SBCHI) to cease and desist from any operations effective August 27 amid allegations of abuses and other violations made against the social welfare and development agency (SWDA).
Based on the report by the DSWD’s Field Office 3-Central Luzon, the allegations against SBCHI include physical and sexual abuse, unauthorized public solicitation, mismanagement of funds, and improper case management, as well as non-compliance with the agency’s Registration, License to Operate and Accreditation standards.
In the cease and desist order (CDO), the DSWD chief said the Subic Bay-based facility is to stop operations for a maximum of 30 days to give way to the conduct of an in-depth investigation.
“Ang cease and desist order natin ay magbibigay-daan para sa masusing imbestigasyon at para na rin sa mga karampatang action tulad ng preventive suspension and removal of staff alleged to have committed the abuses, as well as filing of the appropriate cases,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
As part of its statutory functions, the Department issues the registration and license to operate to SWDAs, or organizations which are engaged in social welfare and development programs.
The DSWD also conducts regular monitoring of the SWDAs to ensure that they operate as intended and within the standards set by the agency. Any violation is subject to sanctions and disciplinary measures.
“The primary responsibility of the Department is to protect the Filipino public, especially those who are supposed to be benefitting from the work of the SWDAs. The allegations made against Subic Bay Children’s Home are grave, which is why we lost no time and acted with haste for the sake of the children,” Secretary Gatchalian added.
As President Ferdinand R.Marcos, Jr. has always stressed, the government, as steward of the nation, must do more to protect the children, according to the DSWD chief.
During the 30-day suspension period, corrective actions must also be taken by the care facility in accordance with the result of the investigation and assessment of SBCHI’s operations and the status of the facility’s wards.
The order also requires the SBCHI to comply with other measures to include the sworn undertaking from all staff to ensure that they respect and protect the rights of the children in accordance with domestic and international guidelines, conventions and laws.
“As part of the order, we also asked SBCHI for a written explanation over his statement in the presence of FFT members – ‘ang abuse normal at nangyayari naman sa lahat ng residential facility, pero hindi naman araw-araw nangyayari’. Nais natin i-remind lahat ng facilities na we take matters of abuse seriously, kahit minsan lang mangyari,” Secretary Gatchalian continued.
According to Secretary Gatchalian, the DSWD will be conducting stricter monitoring measures of the SWDAs and assessment prior to the issuance of registration, license to operate and accreditation
The DSWD chief has directed the agency’s Field Office 3-Central Luzon to place the SBCHI children under its protective custody and ensure that their best interest will be observed at all times. (GDVF)
