Japan to turn over facility for prostituted children

JAPANESE Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe will attend the turn over ceremony of a community-based facility in Mandaue City today.

The facility – a two-storey building equipped with classrooms, a clinic, a training room and a stockroom amounting to P3.9 million – was funded by the Japanese government through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects.

The project also includes the acquisition of desks, chairs, audiovisual appliances and medical equipment such as thermometers and examining table.

The project came into being after the Bidlisiw Foundation Inc. sought the assistance of the Embassy of Japan for the construction of a community-based facility.

The facility currently being used by the foundation is already dilapidated, and the equipment for their programs are also lacking.

Bidlisiw is a local non-government organization that has been supporting the children in Cebu, particularly those commercially and sexually exploited for more than 20 years.

The foundation has been implementing various activities such as sessions on therapy, health education, alternative learning and vocational skills training, with the goal of reintegrating the children into the society and their homes.

The foundation has also been supporting the families of these children through livelihood training programs and counseling.