The first place for the project will be Cebu and, on the basis of words of Dr Sanson, reported in the “Cebu Daily News”, they will also need to build an institution that would look after the integration and rehabilitation of the juveniles at Liloan Town on the northern outskirts of Cebu. “We chose Cebu City because it is one of the most child-friendly cities in the country.” Hans-Jurgen Dorrich added.
A survey conducted by the United Nations (UN) in various prisons in the Philippines showed the number of cases of juvenile injustices reached around 20,000, while that of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recorded 6,000 delinquency cases in Cebu alone, which represent more than 30 percent of the number of the same cases surveyed by the UN throughout the country.
“The government has to step up and be more pro-active” Dr Samson said. “The government only implements steps 1 and 2 of the six steps in juvenile rehabilitation. Because of that, we are volunteering for the aftercare and implementation of the remaining steps of rehabilitating them” said Fr. Fidel D. Orendain, SDB.
In connection with the project, the Selesians of Don Bosco have been holding a conference lasting until Nov. 15. Taking pert were DSWD Undersecretary Alicia Bala, representatives of various non-government organizations from Cambodia, Pakistan and Manila, Cebu City Taskforce for Street Children, the Jesuits, Rogationists and Franciscan Sisters.
Published 25/11/2010
