March 28, 2024

Two minors found loitering and sniffing rugby by a security officer at Burnham Park on Oct. 10 had been rescued and turned over to their families in Caba, La Union.
City Social Welfare and Development Officer Liza Bulayungan said the minors, both boys, were taken in at the Silungan Center where they were cleaned up and provided with food and clothing.
During the interview, the boys claimed to be residents of Agoo and came to Baguio City last Oct. 8 to work as baggage carriers for two days.
Social worker Jacqueline Tupong, who is in charge of the Burnham Legarda area, coordinated with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office of Agoo to locate the minors’ families in the address given but there was negative result.
The minors said they are 4Ps beneficiaries and taking cue from this, the social worker checked the data base with the 4Ps staff and results showed the minors are actually from Caba, La Union.
A check with the MSWDO and 4Ps of Caba established they are residents of San Jose barangay, thus coordination ensued to contact their parents and arrange for proper turn-over.
On the same day, Tupong and driver Engel Dominguez  escorted the minors to the Caba MSWD.
Tupong said after-care planning was conducted with the MSWDO and 4Ps staff, the minors, and their parents and it was agreed they will schedule a case conference with the Barangay Council for Protection of Children of San Jose for a holistic approach and for preparation and implementation of intervention program for the minors and their families. – Aileen P. Refuerzo