Naglabas ng cease and desist order (CDO) ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) nitong Lunes, Mayo 22 laban sa isang orphanage sa Quezon City dahil sa umano'y paglabag sa Republic Act (RA) 7610 o ang Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
Noong Sabado, Mayo 20, nagsagawa ng "unannounced inspection" si DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian sa pribadong orphanage na pinapatakbo ng Gentle Hands Inc.
“Through the unannounced inspection, the Secretary was able to confirm that the children in GHI are in imminent danger and decided that it is in the best interest of the children to be transferred to a safe shelter,” sabi ni DSWD Spokesperson at Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez.
Ipinunto niya na ang pagsisikip, paggamit ng mga triple-decker bed, pagharang sa mga fire exit, at kakulangan ng mga social worker sa mga spot inspection ay ilan sa mga paglabag ng GHI.
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“Given the gravity of the noted infractions on the premises, Secretary Rex Gatchalian ordered Gentle Hands Inc. to cease and desist from further operations pending an investigation by the DSWD for a maximum period of 20 days from date hereof, unless lifted earlier,” ang nakasaad ang order.
Sinabi ni Lopez na ang pagpapalabas ng CDO ay bahagi ng awtoridad, regulatory powers, at responsibilidad ng DSWD na tumulong na protektahan ang mga karapatan ng mga bata mula sa lahat ng uri ng kapabayaan, pang-aabuso, kalupitan, pagsasamantala, at iba pang sitwasyon na nakakasama sa kanilang pag-unlad.
“Since the DSWD is the one accrediting and giving out license to operate on SWDAs (Social Welfare and Development Agencies), the department has the power to issue a CDO against an SWDA especially if there are serious concerns regarding their facilities,” paliwanag niya.
Ang GHI ay isang DSWD-registered at licensed SWDA na may License No. DSWD-SB-L-000052-2021, na inisyu noong Agosto 12, 2021 at mag-e-expire sa Agosto 13, 2024.
Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
