Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary for Inclusive and Sustainable Peace Alan A. Tanjusay during his monitoring visit at the Boys Care Center in Tagum City, Davao del Norte on 26 January 2023.
Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary for Inclusive and Sustainable Peace Alan A. Tanjusay during his monitoring visit at the Boys Care Center in Tagum City, Davao del Norte on 26 January 2023.

Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Office, led by Undersecretary for Inclusive and Sustainable Peace Alan A. Tanjusay, conducted a monitoring visit at the Boys Care Center in Tagum City on January 25-26 to assess the overall situation and provide technical assistance to DSWD Field Office XI in operating and running the facility.

Built in 2021 through the Php19 million fund under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Pillar 2 Project, the Boys Care Center can house male children, aged 17 and below. These include children in situations of armed conflict and victims of human trafficking.  who need protective custody and continuous care through psychosocial interventions before they reintegrate into their respective families and communities. The facility can accommodate 25 to 50 residents needing temporary shelter.

During the visit, Usec. Tanjusay, along with the Program Management Bureau representatives, headed by its Assistant Bureau Director Miramel Garcia-Laxa, guided the personnel of DSWD FO 11 on the necessary steps to be undertaken in order to secure funding and commence the operationalization of the facility.

The two-day activity also included courtesy calls to Davao del Norte Governor Edwin I. Jubahid and Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy, and a focused group discussion with the former rebels residing at Freedom Residences, as well as visits to DSWD Residential Care Facilities for children and the elderly.

PAMANA Program was launched in 2011 as a priority program of the government that supports peace negotiation and contributes to the goal of attaining just and lasting peace. ###