Cordillera execs hold Sablan town outreach program

By Christian Ragasa

SABLAN, Benguet—Cordillera regional directors of government line agencies reached out to children in conflict with the law at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth here in Sitio Payda, Barangay Bayabas here last week.

                Cordillera Association of Regional Executives (CARE) president, NEDA-CAR Regional Director Milagros Rimando said they decided to revisit the RRCY after memorable experience in last year’s first outreach program with 14 CICL.

This year’s outreach program involved more regional heads and representatives from government offices including uniformed personnel.

Aside from donations of CARE members, other government agencies also shared items to the center and residents.

Among the donations turned over were water containers, bottles and drums; hygiene, medical and dental kit supplies; tents, sports equipment such as basketball and volleyball; tree and vegetable seedlings and planting materials such as pick and shovels; t-shirts and towels; and reading and art materials.

 “It was supposed to be a simple gift giving but it ended as inspirational activity including a mentoring and learning session not only for the troubled youths but also among the regional heads,” Rimando said.

Aside from the art workshop by solar artist Jordan Mang-osan,   CARE members held talks with CICL and residents.

               Pastor Joel Fangsilat from Baptist Church gave words of encouragement to children telling them not to lose hope in life.

He promised to visit the center with their church youth to provide more encouragement and share the word of God.

PIA-CAR regional director Helen Tibaldo urged residents to enhance their artistry and literacy skills by joining ASEAN 2017 literary and visual arts contest where children can write a poem or an essay or draw an art work on how they understand essence of Association of South East Asian Nations chaired by the Philippines on its 50th year anniversary this year.

 The Philippine Women’s University   gave a lecture and demonstration on flower arrangement which residents could use as a livelihood activity in the center.

The group also joined residents plant fruit-bearing trees such as lanzones, mangosteen, and star apple at compound of the center.

These fruit bearing trees will be maintained by the residents.

DSWD regional director Janet Armas thanked CARE for choosing the area as outreach beneficiary.

              The support of CARE to  the RRYC, she said,  is a blessing to the center and children since  this is one of the least visited centers of the DSWD due to its location.

               The RRCY is a facility designed to provide intensive treatment in a residential setting for rehabilitation of CICL who are below 18 years old. 

It serves as a nurturing out-of-home placement for children in need of rehabilitation.

Armas said the RRCY has 17 residents or CICL but most of them are on home leave or living with their families but only for a certain number of days.  

Residents thanked CARE members and others who joined the outreach program through a song entitled “Pagasa ba ang hanap mo” composed by a security guard of the RRCY and sang by residents.

Said piece won in a nationwide song-writing competition among RRCYs.

Other government agencies joined the outreach program which included police and Philippine Army.