Gov’t agencies to ink MOA vs child abuse in Davao regionDAVAO CITY, March 28, (PNA) – Government agencies are set to ink a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for a unified fight against child abuse, particularly those left behind by Overseas Filipino Workers in the Davao region.
Eduardo Bellido, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) regional director, said Tuesday their agency will work with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Justice (DOJ) to curb cases of abuse involving OFW children, including human trafficking.
The MOA will be signed on March 30 and will be witnessed by various stakeholders in the area, including top officials of the three agencies.
Aside from the MOA signing, a program launch will also be held at the Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases here.
“This is an intensified campaign to offer full protection to children left behind by OFWs in Davao City and the rest of the region,†Bellido said.
The MOA will also enhance the campaign and coordination among the three government agencies in looking after the children of OFWs and defend them against abuse and exploitation.
OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac and Deputy Administrator for Operations Brigido J. Dulay will join the signing of the agreement as well as DOJ-11 Regional Prosecutor Janet Grace B. Dalisay-Fabrero and DSWD-11 Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat.
Bellido admitted they faced difficulties in previous years in monitoring the status of OFW children, especially cases of abuse and exploitation against them.
“We solely rely on reports from their families and from the DSWD,†Bellido said.
With the MOA, he expressed optimism the three agencies will be able to come up with concrete plans and programs to monitor the children of OFWs and provide them with the necessary assistance.
Bellido added that a seminar on the "Protection of Children Left Behind by the OFWS" will be facilitated after the signing.
Around 130 participants from the government and non-government organizations and families of OFWs in the Davao region are expected to participate in the activity. (PNA)
LCM/ALEXANDER LOPEZ
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