The Paginhawaan Drop-In Center for Children–Davao City (PDICC), under the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), celebrated its 31st anniversary on January 8, 2024.
Glenda Espada, PDICC Center Head, said in an interview with the City Information Office (CIO) that the PDICC was established on January 8, 1993 to ensure the safety of children through the creation of a temporary shelter for them.
“Mao gyud ni siya ang ginapuy-an sa mga street children para ma-rescue man sila sa kalsada aduna sila’y matulugan, para safe sila, makakaon sila, at the same time comfortable ang ilahang kahimtang nga matransfer sila diri sa atoang center [This is where rescued street children stay to ensure their safety, as well as to make sure that they are comfortable],” she said.
The PDICC was originally known as the Davao City Drop-In Center, which was established through an executive order signed by then City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
Espada said that the center was created to provide attention to street children, and make sure that they are catered to, especially education.
Currently, there are 37 children at the center. These children came from different areas in the city and were either reported or rescued.
According to Espada, they have a set of activities for children regularly scheduled. These activities include tutorials that are conducted by the house parents; practical skills development activities; and inculcating of positive values.
Espada also said that the center continues to conduct monitoring, surveillance, and rescue operations for children on the streets.
“Padayon gihapon ang atoang pagconduct og monitoring, surveillance, and rescue sa atoang mga bata nga naa sa kalsada aron mahatagan nato sila og maayong kahimtang ug mareintegrate pud nato sila sa ilahang tagsa-tagsa ka pamilya ug mahatagan sila og saktong serbisyo gikan sa gobyerno [We are continuously conducting monitoring, surveillance, and rescue activities for street children so that they will have better living conditions, and to help reintegrate them to their families, and ensure that they receive the right services from the government],” she added.
Meanwhile, the center also cooperates with other LGUs for children that they rescued who are not from Davao.
Today, the PDICC also serves as the temporary shelter for abused children, according to Espada, while the preparations for the QRTCC are still ongoing. CIO
