QuestionsQuestions (DSWD DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13)
The Order states its formulation is anchored on (1) the 1987 Constitution, Article XV, Sec. 3 (State to defend the right of children to assistance and special protection); (2) RA 7160 (1991 Local Government Code), emphasizing LGU service-delivery functions including welfare services and programs for street children; (3) RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination), requiring a comprehensive program to protect children against abuse endangering survival and normal development; and (4) PD 603 (Child and Youth Welfare Code), whose general principles include promoting the welfare and enhancing opportunities of the child.
Street children are persons below 18 years of age who spend a significant amount of time on the streets and similar public places (markets, parks, malls’ premises, ports/airports, etc.), either for livelihood, begging, scavenging, peddling, shining shoes, watching parked cars, or roaming—generally inadequately protected and sometimes with or without ties to families.
It is a comprehensive, integrated, multi-sectoral initiative to address the plight of street children by taking them away from the streets to prevent further exposure to harm, exploitation, abuse, and hazards, enabling collective government and societal responsibility for protection and rights. The ultimate purpose is to help children decide toward a better option and direction in life (return home, reintegration, or alternative services).
The Guidelines include objectives such as: (a) rescuing street children from the streets to protect them from hazards, abuse, exploitation; (b) providing basic social services—education (scholarships/assistance/vocational training), life skills activities, and alternative home/family care; (c) effecting changes among families (parenting enrichment sessions and income/livelihood assistance) and preventing family disintegration; and (d) mobilizing and strengthening partnerships among community, government agencies, NGOs, church groups, business sectors, and people’s organizations.
The major components are: (A) Rescue Operation (taking children away from streets, guided by barangay and law enforcement, with social preparation and turning over for processing); (B) Social Mobilization and Networking (formation/strengthening of core groups, task forces/clusters including stakeholders and BCPC committees); (C) Basic Services Delivery (street-based, center-based, community-based modalities); (D) Capability Building (orientation and training of implementors and beneficiaries); and (E) Data-Banking/Documentation/Research.
Rescue operations are described as an option used if street education or outreach is ineffective and children remain in the streets. As a prerequisite, the Guidelines require surveillance/ocular survey in critical areas and social/psychological preparation of children before rescue.
Rescue operations are to be undertaken by a team composed of LGU social workers as the head and barangay officials as members in coordination with law enforcement authorities such as the PNP.
The processing/holding area must provide immediate basic needs and protection with sleeping space and basic water, lights, and communication facilities. The drop-in/reception/action center as holding area should include: food, bath, intake/interview/assessment, initial counseling, and medical/drug testing.
The Guidelines state the child’s length of stay in the holding area is from one week to one month.
Discharge/release from holding area can be referred to: (1) community-based services (barangay and family involvement); (2) center-based services; and (3) drug rehabilitation (for substance-related cases).
Street-based: done on the streets where street educators link children to resources through counseling/dialogues to build trust; aim is to decide to return home or be referred to centers. Center-based: temporary residential care with structured experiences to prepare for reintegration (drop-in centers and temporary shelters/residential centers). Community-based: preventive work addressing family/community causes—parent effectiveness sessions, livelihood development, family counseling, educational assistance, life skills development, peer support groups, and alternative family care.
Street educators serve as the link between street children and resources in the community through counseling and dialogues to build trust and establish friendly relationships, helping children decide between returning to families or referral to residential care centers.
Center-based approach includes: (1) Drop-in center (24-hour service for day/night shelter and respite; rest, play, eat, sleep, hygiene, socializing, alternative education, counseling; and guidance toward family safety/security or residential centers); and (2) Temporary Shelters/Residential Centers (24-hour therapeutic environment approximating family life under trained staff; food, clothing, health needs, skills training, counseling, preparation for foster care and possibly adoption). Purpose is temporary placement to prepare children for reintegration into families and mainstream society.
Directed to street children: Educational Assistance Program (return to/attend formal schooling and reduce working time; includes meetings of parents); Skills Training (gainful employment skills for older children, aligned to children’s needs and marketable skills); Life Skills Development (value formation, workshops/games for teamwork, decision-making, self-awareness of strengths/weaknesses); and Peer Support Group (train selected children as peer counselors/educators/advocates to guide others toward self-reliance and participation).
PES is a 10-week (half-day per week) parenting skills enhancement course promoting family spirituality for parents/guardians of street children. It focuses on care and management of children, enhancing family unity/cohesiveness/spirituality, behavior management techniques, and informing parents about children’s rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and relevant Philippine laws/issuances.
It is to augment family income since poverty is identified as a primary reason children go to the streets. Assistance may be livelihood support or micro-credit entrepreneurship for feasible income-generating activities (e.g., sari-sari store, food vending, garment sewing, newspaper vending).
BCPC is described as a barangay-level council subsumed under appropriate existing barangay development council committees, emphasizing actions at family/community levels for children needing special protection. It is intended to ensure protection and proper development of children in the barangay and to ascertain implementation of children’s rights to safety, health, good morale, and facilities for wholesome development.
LGUs through Street Children Task Forces (or equivalent working committees/clusters) take the lead in coordinating programs for street children. The DSWD provides technical assistance including capability building to the task forces/clusters/working committees.
Funds are approved by the Sanggunian under the Local Government Code (RA 7160), which mandates LGUs for devolved social welfare services. DSWD and other national agencies may augment LGU/NGO budgets via cash or in-kind donations. Disbursements and liquidation must follow existing auditing rules and regulations or the Memorandum of Agreement between implementing organizations and DSWD/sponsors/donors.
At national level, DSWD Information Management Division (PPISB) devises reporting format, monitors submission, and prepares an annual report. Local task forces submit a quarterly consolidated report to the DSWD Field Office not later than the 7th day of the proceeding month, forwarded to DSWD Central Office PPISB. For monitoring and evaluation, LGUs conduct monitoring; technical assistance and monitoring are provided by the Council for the Welfare of Children’s Sub-Task Force on Street Children and the DSWD Field Office, with an annual chairpersons’ meeting to discuss thrust and directions.