Cordillera Administrative Region- The Regional Haven: Home for Girls and Women is marking another milestone in the history of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as it celebrates its 15th year in service to the vulnerable, disadvantaged and abused women in the region.
Funded through the Congressional Spouses Foundation Incorporated and DSWD, the Regional Haven for Girls and Women was established in 1999 which aimed to enable women in especially difficult circumstances and children in need of special protection to recover from traumatic experiences, restore social functioning and regain self-worth and dignity.
Centers and Institutions Coordinator Judith de Guzman said that as of September 18, the Regional Haven has already served 108 clients this year. “Since 1999, we have catered to girls and women who need our services but this is not limited to Cordillerans alone. We also have clients who are from Visayas and Mindanao. As of March 2014, we already have 1,338 women and girls who have been discharged from the center and are now socially functional”, de Guzman shared.
However, de Guzman also noted that there are still sixteen (16) clients who are still under the Regional Haven’s care. “As much as we do not want to increase the number of clients that we serve, we have to face the truth that difficult circumstances are present, especially for women. And we will continue providing services”, she added.
Regional Haven’s 15th year anniversary celebration is being highlighted by an Open House which allows the clients to market products including food items, handicrafts, and artworks. These products are made by the center’s clients as a result of the economic service provided to them. The economic service includes practical skills and livelihood trainings for self-development and self reliance.
Aside from the economic service, the Regional Haven clients also receive social, home life, educational, psychological, health, recreational, dietary and spiritual services while they are under the custody of the Regional Haven.
Meanwhile, DSWD-CAR OIC-Regional Director Janet P. Armas urged female individuals who have been victims of violence and exploitation to report to the authorities or to the nearest social workers in their areas. “The Regional Haven is open to all girls and women who need our services. We have our social workers to provide the necessary interventions for them to be able to regain their part in the society. Our Regional Haven has been in service for 15 years, and we are ready to provide more hope and better care for those who need such services,” Director Armas added.
The Regional Haven Open House is located at #40 North Drive Baguio City (beside BIR-CAR) and will run until 31 October 2014. Proceeds of the event will go to the center’s clients.# DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, NFGV