La Trinidad, Benguet—In a bid to support the need for a caring and conducive environment for the learning, growth, and development of children 0-6 years old, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD FO CAR) has inaugurated its improved regional facility for the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) on August 23, 2024.
DSWD FO CAR, led by DSWD FO CAR Regional Director (RD) Maria A. Catbagan-Aplaten, together with the Members of the DSWD Central Office Executive Committee, DSWD FO CAR Management Committee and staff joined officers and representatives of different partners and stakeholders from the public and private sectors during the official unveiling of the the newly-built RSCC, which is a 24-hour residential facility that provides protection and rehabilitation services through temporary residential care to neglected, abandoned, abused and exploited children and those with special needs such as children at risk and children who are in need of alternative family care.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, was represented by Irene B. Dumlao, CESO IV, Assistant Secretary (ASEC) for Office of the Secretary (OSEC) Concerns and Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG) and the Department’s Official Spokesperson. The Secretary showed his support through his message delivered by Asec. Dumlao.
In her message, Dir. Aplaten underscored the collective efforts of partner agencies and institutions from the across the region. “We hope that the RSCC would continue to be a sanctuary where wounds both seen and unseen can begin to heal,” she said.
Other DSWD CO officials present were former DSWD FO CAR RD and now Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) for Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG) and Concurrent Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau Leo L. Quintilla, former DSWD FO CAR RD and now ASEC for Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns Arnel B. Garcia, CESO II, former DSWD FO CAR RD and now ASEC for Standards and Capacity Building Group Janet Armas; ASEC for Statutory Programs Ada A. Calico; Director IV under the Office of the ASEC for Statutory Programs and Coach Monitor of the Program Management Bureau’s Center and Development Division, National Inspectorate Division and Center Residential Care Facilities Infrastructure Team Rowela F. Hizon.
Meanwhile, the blessing and dedication of the building were done with the help of Fr. Gerardo Costa, CICM and elders from the local community who performed two (2) Ibaloi traditional rituals prior the program and another one afterwards. In retrospect, the RSCC has come a long way in in sheltering vulnerable and disadvataged children in the region. First called as Lingap Center in 1990, the RSCC has been renamed as such and remained in its original location until 2019, when physical reconstrucion of the building started as part of the DSWD’s Centers and Residential Care Facilities Infrastructure Project. After having temporarily transfered for 5 years at a leased building located in Aurora Hill, Baguio City, the renovated RSCC building continues to be a Center of Excellence and can now house up to 50 residents at a time. ###DSWD-CAR Social Marketing Unit –Christian Robert M. Sandoval, Information Officer II
