The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday (May 31) welcomed the planned Senate inquiry on the issues hounding Gentle Hands Inc. (GHI), particularly on the DSWD’s issuance of a cease-and-desist order, after it was found out that GHI has committed several violations of Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Monday (May 29) filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the closure of GHI orphanage in Quezon City last May 23 due to the cease and desist order issued by DSWD.

“We welcome the planned inquiry of Senator Hontiveros as this will provide the DSWD a forum to answer all the issues regarding Gentle Hands. The DSWD is ready to answer all questions that will be raised such as the CDO, the BFP’s revocation of the GHI’s fire safety certificate, as well as the issue of disruption cases involving adopted kids facilitated by GHI,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said on Tuesday.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has conducted an inspection of the Quezon City facility of GHI on May 24 and based on the number of violations of the Fire Code noted by the fire inspectors, the BFP-Quezon City Fire District revoked the fire safety inspection certificate (FSIC) of GHI until all the violations are corrected by the GHI building management.

According to Hontiveros, chairperson of Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, the inquiry seeks to review “current policies on orphanages and child residential care facilities in the Philippines.”

“While the safety and adequacy of living standards are important concerns, it is also important to determine whether or not the correct processes were followed in the removal of the children from a child care facility… and whether or not these processes are informed by the best interest of the child doctrine,” Sen. Hontiveros said in the resolution.

Asst. Secretary Lopez said the planned Senate inquiry “will give us the opportunity to further explain the issue and the decisions made by the Department that are only to the best interest of the children sheltered at the orphanage.”

“The investigation would, indeed, be helpful in coming up with appropriate legislations to further ensure the protection of children. We are ready to cooperate with Senator Hontiveros for the inquiry,” the DSWD official said.

The DSWD spokesperson said GHI’s children-residents are now with Elsie Gaches Village (EGV) in Alabang, Muntinlupa City; Nayon ng Kabataan (NK) in Mandaluyong City; and the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) in Quezon City.

Asst. Secretary Lopez noted it was in RSCC where baby Marzan was brought and was finally reunited with his mother, Melanie, after four months of GHI’s refusal to return the baby despite the issuance of a Parental Capability Assessment Report (PCAR) by the DSWD.

“The DSWD has also written the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Association of Child Caring Agencies of the Philippines (ACCAP) assuring them that the rights of the children were strictly observed and that they are receiving the best care possible in the three DSWD-operated child care facilities,” the DSWD official said.  #