DSWD to assess private care facilities nationwide after QC orphanage closure
MANILA, Philippines — Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Rex Gatchalian has ordered an assessment of all privately owned care facilities nationwide after the agency ordered a cease and desist order against Gentle Hands orphanage in Quezon City due to numerous violations.
“I have issued an instruction to our standards bureau to conduct a rapid assessment test of all privately ran care facilities, not just ones for the young children, but for all care facilities. We also simultaneously wrote the Bureau of Fire Protection and furnished them a list of all our care facilities so that they can do their own inspection and refer to us if they see any fire traps or issues on fire safety,” Gatchalian told INQUIRER.net on Monday.
Gatchalian estimates that there are 600 care facilities across the country. The DSWD website defines care facilities as centers that give rehabilitation and care to disadvantaged sectors.
“So we’re going to do that in one month’s time. It’s based on risks, so we will have to visit them one by one,” he said.
Gatchalian, however, explained that assessments are normal, and part of standard operating procedures.
“You are not supposed to announce spot checks because these are random checks, and standards should be in place,” he said.
The secretary himself had visited the Golden Hands Inc. orphanage on May 20, which affirmed his decision to issue a cease and desist order, explaining that what he saw fire and other hazards to the children.
