Cagayan de Oro City — Seven municipalities and a non-governmental organization in Northern Mindanao are set to adopt and implement projects of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The local government units from the provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, through its mayors, signed a memorandum of agreement with DSWD in order to adopt and to replicate projects for the advancement of the welfare of the vulnerable sectors of the society.
Among the projects adopted individually are Share Computer Access Local and Abroad (SCALA), Modified Social Stress Model (MSSM), Sheltered Workshop for Older Persons and Persons with Disability; Youth Productivity Service (YPS), and Family Drug Abuse Prevention Program.
SCALA is a community based basic computer literacy program that aims to enhance the employment opportunities of disadvantaged youth. It includes installation of training facility with appropriate equipment. The program is implemented in partnership with the Engineers without Borders of Canada and the local government units while MSSM is an assessment tool for social welfare for case management in or der to know the individual needs of the clients why they engage in such conditions that are hazardous to their well-being.
Meanwhile the YPS is an integrated skills and job placement project for out of school youth led by LGUs from Region X in partnership with Consuelo Foundation and other government agencies such as TESDA while FDAPP is community-based program that educates and prepares families and the communities on the adverse effects of drug abuse. It involves the promotion of family life enrichment activities to enhance cohesiveness, bonding and harmonious relationship among family members. It also equips the families with parenting and life skills towards a drug free home.
The municipalities include Kibawe, Quezon, Manolo Fortich, and Don Carlos; all of Bukidnon province and Balingoan, Talisayan, and Gitagum; all of Misamis Oriental. The Youth with A Mission, an NGO in this city, is also adopting a project of DSWD.
The Social Technology Bureau is responsible for the development and enhancement of customer- driven social protection technologies addressing the current and emerging needs and issues of the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals, groups or families.
Meanwhile, DSWD is conducting a research study on the situational analysis of child laborers in minging, pyrotechnics and deep-sea fishing area in Northern Mindanao.
The team has conducted enumeration in the villages of Pagatpat, Kauswagan, Consolacion, Iponan, and Canitoan here and later in Natumulan, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental and Gango, Libona, Bukidnon.
The study aims to describe, analyze, and understand the phenomenon of child laborers, families, and communities who are engaged in the worst form of child labor.
The identified areas are considered as mining and quarry communities. (Written by Oliver Badel Inodeo, Pantawid Pamilya Information Officer)
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