[L-R] CSSDO head Ma. Luisa T. Bermudo, City Administrator Atty. Zulieka Lopez, DSWD Social Technology Bureau Director Thelsa P. Biolena and DSWD XI Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat signing the MOA to implement two social technology programs.

Davao City (DSWD XI) – The local government of Davao City recently signed a memorandum of agreement with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for a social technology project focused on children in conflict with the law (CICL) and a Comprehensive Program for Street Children, Street Families and Indigenous Peoples (COMPRE).

Buklod Paglaom Para sa Children In Conflict with the Law (CICL) sa Bahay Pag-asa Children’s Village and COMPRE are two programs piloted in four areas in the Philippines -Isabela, Caloocan City, Misamis Occidental and Davao City.

DSWD XI Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat said that the Buklod Paglaom (Convergence of Hope) project with a range of services integrating center and community based interventions, and employing a holistic approach, aims to address the risk factors in the child, his family and the community.

On the other hand, COMPRE provides a package of services, interventions and opportunities to street children, street families and Bajaus to help them live productively in a safe environment, Director Jabagat explained.

“We welcome the Holistic Psychosocial and Economic (HOPE) intervention for CICL as it augments the city government’s current intervention and rehabilitation programs for our children in Bahay Pag-asa and as we formalize as well our partnership in this comprehensive program for street children, families and IPs. With this intervention from the DSWD we will also be able to help families of the children in the center,” representing Mayor Sara Z. Duterte, City Administrator Atty. Zulieka Lopez said in her message.

Also present at the ceremonial signing were City Social Services and Development Officer Ma. Luisa T. Bermudo and DSWD Social Technology Director Thelsa P. Biolena.

DSWD will provide P 3,213,402.00 for COMPRE and P 307,622.00 for the Buklod Paglaom while the city government will ensure implementation of program/s components and carry out activities as identified in the work and financial plan.

The Social Technology Bureau of DSWD is responsible for the development and enhancement of customer-driven social protection technologies which address the current and emerging needs/issues of the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals, groups or families. (DSWD)