The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), in partnership with the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and other agencies, re-launched on Wednesday the Kean Gabriel Hotline and the Anti-Mendicancy drive, with materials to be broadcast by DCPO mobile patrol units.
CSWDO Child and Youth Welfare Division Chief Gilda Dela Gente-Salvaña told Madayaw Davao that the re-launch and the added platform for airing the materials is their way of strengthening advocacy and awareness programs against child abuse and violations of the anti-mendicancy law.
Salvaña emphasized that as long as cases of abuse continue to be recorded by various concerned agencies, they can sustain and strengthen the campaign to prevent similar incidents, and it will start enabling communities to be part of the response.
“Kinahanglan ang atong pagpakabana. Kinahanglan ang tanan nga sektor sa katilingban, labi na diri sa Davao City, magiging aware kung asa sila mureport kung dunay possible na pagpangabuso o potensyal nga pagpangabuso (Our concern is needed. All sectors of the community here in Davao City must be aware of where to report possible or potential cases of abuse),” Salvaña said.
She added that the re-launched Kean Gabriel Hotline will help individuals at the barangay level immediately report concerns to proper agencies and departments.
Salvaña also said the anti-mendicancy awareness materials and the Kean Gabriel jingle will be played during mobile patrols to highlight how mendicancy continues to expose children to abuse and risks on the streets.
She further noted that street educators continue to conduct monitoring and surveillance in areas where street children are frequently seen.
Meanwhile, DCPO Deputy Director for Administration, PLTCOL Jed Clamor shared that their partnership with the CSWDO on anti-child abuse efforts is ideal, as it enables the police to support social workers in various areas.
“Ang CSWDO naa sila’y limitasyon pud sa ilang manpower ug resources. Ang DCPO—we have the manpower, we have the muscle, and we have the mobility,” Clamor said, noting that it is beneficial for social workers to be accompanied by uniformed personnel in enforcing anti-child abuse laws.
He added that the mobile patrols will play the audio materials daily as they go around communities, helping residents and commuters retain important information. This, he said, will make it easier for them to report abuse and expect a swift response from CSWDO and the police. CIO
