Child care center asks kin to claim children

NORFIL Foundation Inc., a social welfare agency in Lapu-Lapu City, is calling the attention of the parents and relatives of a mentally-deranged mother, whose child is under its care, and an abandoned baby boy.

Vincent Cruz was born on Oct. 14, 2012 at Bogo Health Center in Argao town, southern Cebu. His mother, who is in her early twenties and mentally challenged, arrived in sitio Cancainap, barangay Tulic, Argao sometime in 2002 after being dropped off a passenger bus by an unidentified passenger along the national highway. She was unable to provide information about herself. Having nowhere to stay, the barangay officials of Tulic accommodated her and assisted her in her basic needs. In 2010, she left Tulic and walked without direction until she reached barangay Bogo in the same town. She was made to stay at the health center there. To establish her identity, she was given the name Althea Cruz. Althea kept roaming around the barangay and was impregnated by an unidentified person, thus giving birth to Vincent.

Her son was referred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Cebu City since she was not capable of caring the child. Presently, the child is under the custody of Norfil Foundation, while his mother is staying with a concerned citizen in Bogo.

Another child, Benjamin Wagas, was born on April 27, 2012 at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City. His mother, Mylene Wagas of barangay Calamba, Cebu City left him at the hospital two days after giving birth. Benjamin is now under the care of Norfil Foundation on Airbase Road, sitio Sangi, barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City.

Norfil is requesting the parents or relatives of Althea and Benjamin to see social workers Angelina Dungog, Sheryl Gacita and Griffith Riconalla at 3401170 or 3405722 from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. if they are still interested in getting back the child. Failure of the parties to appear within three months will compel the DSWD to place Vincent and Benjamin up for adoption.