The City Social Welfare and Development Office of Lucena City is the local agency mandated by the National Government to “develop and implement a comprehensive program for social welfare services to facilitate the integration of the most disadvantage and distress population into the mainstream of society”
With its meager resources, this office caters to vast number of clients classified as family heads, women, children, youth, elderly, disabled and victims of calamities and disasters, natural or man-made.
Below are some of the services it provides:
- Child and Youth Welfare
- Reception and Action Center for Boys
The establishment of the Reception and Action Centers for Boys (RAC) as well as the Girls Crisis Center (GCC) has significantly aided the care, protection, development and rehabilitation of the children and youth, particularly the potentially neglected and delinquent ones. At the Reception and Action Center for Boys, for instance, not only are health and home life needs of the 114 boys are being provided for by the center; it likewise provides either formal or non-formal education, spiritual enhancement through socio-cultural and recreational activities, or productivity program by engaging in income generating activities.
- Girls’ Crisis Center
The Girls’ Crisis Center, on the other hand, provides children and youth protective custody for temporary shelter, legal assistance, counseling, service, skills development and formal education. A total of 93 children in the center have been given these services.
- Assistance for Youth in Conflict with the Law / Released on Recognizance (ROR)
The service provides assistance for the rehabilitation of youth offenders; facilitates their temporary release to attain the objectives of restorative justice. Recognizance is undertaken in lieu of a bond assumed by a parent o custodian who shall be responsible for the appearance in the court by the child in conflict with the law. CSWDO’s intervention causes the release of a minor, who is held behind bars, to their parents. However, they will continue to report to their respective assigned social worker for monitoring. 254 youths benefited from the ROR through the presentation of the CSWDO, who as continuously provided rehabilitative programs and services.
- Child Trafficking Cases
Due to the high incidence of human trafficking cases, particularly of women and children, Anti-trafficking of Persons Act of 2003 (RA 9208), crafted in July 22, 2002, was finally enacted to institute policies to eliminate trafficking of persons specially women and children, establishing the necessary institutional mechanisms for the protection and support of trafficked persons, providing its violation and for other purposes.
The DSWD and its devolved agencies are mandated to implement rehabilitative and protective programs for trafficking of persons. They shall provide counseling and temporary shelter to trafficked persons and develop a system for accreditation among NGOs for purposes of establishing centers and programs for intervention in various levels of community.
2. Women’s Welfare
This component of social welfare promotes total development of women, giving special attention to the prevention and/or eradication of women exploitation in any form, i.e. domestic violence, sexual abuse, human trafficking , etc. It also promotes self-actualization and skills for employment. At least 3,400 disadvantaged women completed self-enhancement, maternal/childcare development and communication skills development sessions while 300 women were trained in food processing, soap and candle-making.
3. Welfare for the Disabled
This program provides services on disability prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities to the elderly and persons with physical, mental and social disabilities. It enhances their self- reliance and productivity as contributing members of society. Through this program, 700 elderly and disabled persons have undergone self-valuing for them to participate actively n community and family activities. In addition, 525 individuals at risk availed of the information dissemination program, i.e. information on early education and intervention for disability, while 60 underwent after-care and follow-up sessions. A total f 159 disabled persons were assisted acquiring technical aids (wheel chairs, crutches, canes and walkers).
Contact Information:
City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Lucena Office
Ground Floor, City Hall Annex, Barangay Isabang, Lucena City
Telephone No.: (042) 710-5147 / 661-7982 / 660-3280
Fax No.: (042) 710-5147
Email: cswd_lucena@ymail.com
Philippine Peso