Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 23) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday issued a cease-and-desist order against an orphanage in Quezon City, citing that the facility puts the children in “imminent danger.”
In a press briefing on Tuesday, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said he personally visited Gentle Hands Inc. (GHI) on Saturday, together with registered social workers, and found out that the facility is overcrowded, dirty, unventilated, and without proper fire exits.
He said the privately-owned orphanage can only accommodate 80 children but they are currently housing 149 children.
Gatchalian added that the fire exits of the facilities were sealed by metal grills.
“That by itself is very alarming already,\” he said. \”We are the parents of the nation. The department has the responsibility to safeguard those who are vulnerable.\”
The secretary also reported that the GHI is congesting over a hundred students to two classrooms that can only accommodate 20 children at most.
Without disclosing other details, the GHI on Monday thanked the DSWD and said they have come to a “compromise” with the agency — pertaining to an appeal that the DSWD allowed after they refused to accept the cease-and-desist order that was served on Monday.
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