THE City Government of San Fernando reopened three facilities at the City Civic Center in San Isidro village to boost its programs for the development and improvement of vulnerable children and youth Monday, May 16, 2022.
The Special Drug Education Center, Bale Lingap Kayanakan (Youth Care Facility), and Youth Development Center, after serving as temporary Covid-19 response and isolation centers and that once catered to health workers and Covid-19 patients, were re-launched on Monday, which outgoing Mayor Edwin Santiago signified San Fernando's readiness to take on another challenge after focusing on combatting the pandemic’s threats.
“Ang muling pagbubukas ng mga gusaling ito ay naging posible dahil wala na tayong pasyenteng naka-isolate o quarantine dito at mayroon na tayong permanent isolation facility. Patunay ito na nalampasan na natin ang mahirap na yugto ng pandemiya at handa tayo sa anumang posibleng mangyari,” he said.
“Ang bunga nito, magagamit na natin sila para sa iba pang mahahalagang aspeto – ang kapakanan ng mga batang nangangailangan nang lingap, kasama ang kanilang mga magulang,” Santiago added.
He expressed hopes that the next administration will sustain the city's programs on child care and youth development, as embodied in the Seal of Good Local Governance of the Department of Interior and Local Government and directions aligned with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
"It's a core program which we hope will be sustained by the next administration as the facilities are here already and the programs established which are all for the benefit of vulnerable young Fernandinos," he told SunStar Pampanga.
Santiago said the facilities are open to cater to other children and youth beneficiaries from neighboring towns, stressing that “helping has no limits, especially for the children and youth.”
For her par, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Aileen Villanueva said the facilities will cater to out-of-school youth, children in street situation, children in conflict with the law, and children at risk, along with their parents or guardians, if applicable.
Villanueva said several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are partnering with the local government unit to host programs such as counseling, classroom-alike lessons, book reading, and parenting seminars.
During the launch, activities were simultaneously held at three facilities for the beneficiaries -- an overview of what’s to happen on a regular basis, according to Villanueva.
“Magkakaroon tayo ng mga kasama dito sa pamamagitan ng mga rescue operations natin. Once rescued ang bata at kanyang magulang o kasama, dito sila dadalhin, dito aasikasuhin, dito gagawin ang mga programa. Kung walang mauuwian, mayroon tayong nakahandang temporary shelters,” she said.
John Carlo Marcos, former out-of-school youth, extended his gratitude to the city for making a difference into their lives.
“Nais ko pong buong-pusong iparating ang pasasalamat sa pamahalaan sa walang tigil na pagmamahal sa amin at sa mga programang tumutugon sa aming mga pangangailangan. Dahil po sa inyo, ang bukas namin ay mayroon nang pag-asa,” Marcos shared.
Also in attendance during the reopening of the facilities were Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 3 Director Marites Maristela, Councilor and Youth Development Council Chairperson Gustav Henson, members of the Local Council for the Protection of Children, and NGO representatives. (JTD)