THE Angeles City Government under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo "Pogi" Lazatin, Jr. has been recognized by the world's largest anti-slavery organization, International Justice Mission (IJM), for saving 400 children from the streets.
“We are grateful to the IJM for recognizing our efforts to keep children safe, especially those who need a home and protection,” Lazatin said. “This initiative will be continuing to ramp up our goal in prioritizing children.”
Edna Duaso, City Social Welfare and Development officer, received the plaque of recognition Thursday at her office.
Duaso said this is in pursuit of the Lazatin administration's putting premium on the safety and welfare of children.
“IJM acknowledged the invaluable contribution of the work of the CSWDO during the Child Protection Compact Partnership where nearly 400 children were kept safe,” the plaque states.
The city-wide rescue operation and saturation drive of the city government are not just directed on children in the streets but also homeless individuals and displaced families, which is being done daily.
Lazatin’s Chief Adviser IC Calaguas and Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel are supervising the teams from CSWDO, Gender and Development Office led by Mina Cabiles; Angeles City Tourism Auxiliary headed by Michael Lising; Angeles City Police Office and the Angeles City Women and Children Protection Center conducting the daily rescue operation and saturation drive.
To date, a total of 196 individuals -- 151 minors and 45 adults -- have been rescued.
As of October 26, 195 individuals were already rescued, given food assistance, and returned to their families around the city and in Porac town, Tarlac province, Mabalacat City, and Nueva Ecija.
Out of the 195, 45 are adults and 151 children.
To date, four girls and two boys are in the custody centers of the city government, such as the Home for the Girls and Bahay Pag-Asa. Meanwhile, one abandoned homeless female elderly was turned over to the city's home for the aged, Bale Pusu.
It can be recalled that in December 2020, the city conducted the largest rescue operation, rescuing 136 homeless individuals.
The 136 are composed of 93 individuals from displaced families, 12 street kids, 16 homeless Badjaos, and 15 mentally challenged individuals.
Lazatin has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Metro Psych Facility in Pasay and St. Claire Homecare Inc. for the treatment of mentally and physically challenged and sick individuals rescued from the streets, whether they are Angeleños or not.
Some 63 intellectually disabled individuals were referred for treatment to the city’s partner mental institutions. Sixteen of these were already discharged and reintegrated into their respective families.
Meanwhile, IJM announced a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Office to protect children in the Philippines. (PR)