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Creating Safe Communities for Children | PCMN
Five Centers and Shelters sign a Memorandum of Agreement with End OSEC Consortium:
Strengthening the support system to OSEC Survivors in After-care Facilities
May 6, 2021 | News Story by Ma. Luisa A. Bautista, Communications Officer, PCMN
via Zoom - “We continue to make a difference in the lives of the survivors and the children in general… This MOA commits us to continue to work together more closely towards our goal to End OSEC… with the commitment and hard work of everyone, it (this project) will protect more children and guarantee the restoration of every survivor we rescue...” International Justice Mission (IJM) Philippines National Aftercare Development Director, Ms. Dolores B. Rubia, RSW, MSW, said in signifying the importance of the restoration and recovery of OSEC survivors and marking the commitment of the End Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (End OSEC) Consortium to the five (5) centers and shelters during the virtual Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing, May 4.
AMG Bahay Silungan, Inc., Compassionate Hope, Inc., First Love International, Malisa Home, Inc., and Shechem Children’s Home signed the MOA with the End OSEC Consortium, as represented by PCMN’s National Director, Ms. Fe A. Foronda, to strengthen the support system to OSEC Survivors in After-care Facilities in CALABARZON (Region IV-A) and North Mindanao Region (Region X) which was attended virtually by 30 participants from the above-mentioned organizations.
“I value this partnership because this is an important cog in the whole of the project of End OSEC. Likewise, perhaps in the whole of the Philippines, we are providing a benchmark of practice - cooperation that can be done together, because no “one organization” can do this, ending OSEC. This is a whole nation approach, this needs everyone on board...” Ms. Foronda stated in her keynote message that she hoped for a lasting partnership with centers and shelters as it is necessary to the rehabilitation and reintegration of the OSEC survivors. “We are doing this not only because of the science of caring and nurture for children but because of our faith also”.
Each representative from five centers and shelters stated their acceptance messages.
“It is our prayer that AMG Bahay Silungan will be able to provide safety, healing, recovery, and justice to OSEC survivors… we will strive to be able to help the survivors. With everyone’s help and prayer, we can end the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children.” AMG Bahay Silungan, Inc. Executive Director, Ptr. Hector Arana, said as he expressed that AMG Bahay Silungan realized that there are gaps and challenges but believes that together, can help survivors to be reintegrated back to their families.
Compassionate Hope, Inc., Co-Director, Rev. Nonnie G. Lesada, stated that “We appreciate the opportunity to be part of this endeavor as in much as putting an end to this crime is as also one of the desires of Compassionate Hope in caring for and ministering to these victimized young boys and girls.”
“...we are honored and blessed to be part of this advocacy towards (the reintegration of) survivors of OSEC… through the process of healing and recovery, with the team that assesses the cases and helps them recover from what they experienced.” First Love International Ministries Social Worker, Ms. Mary Ann D. Ablaza, shared in her acceptance message.
Malisa Home, Inc., Chairperson of the BOT, Ms. Joelyn Soldevilla-Biag, noted that “We look forward to productive training activities as these are what we need at the moment. We gladly share with you our efforts to safeguard our children and we are glad that we have all of you as allies.”
“As we deal with the challenges of OSEC, we appreciate this strong partnership. Shechem Children’s Home is committed to be God’s conduit to make His promises to everyone… because of OSEC, the dignity of children are ruined but praised God because He raised different organizations in order for us to be God’s hands, feet, and voice to restore the dignity of children.” Shechem Children’s Home Chairman, Rev. Stephen Gualberto, said as he accepted the partnership with the End OSEC Consortium and gratitude to the partnership.
For the ways forward, the End OSEC Consortium, through PCMN, will host an orientation session to the representatives from the five centers and shelters about the End OSEC project and consultation on the financial support to survivors documentation requirements and process of request.
“Our support (to every survivor from the project coverage placed in the shelters or centers )...I know that it will have an impact on the lives of children.” PCMN Program Manager, Mr. Ronilo Oyanib, stated as a closing message to the virtual MOA signing and emphasized that End OSEC Consortium is one with the centers and shelters in building safer communities for children.
The signing of MOAs with partner centers and shelters will commence the projected action plans in attaining the target to strengthen the support system to OSEC survivors in after-care facilities through capacity building of justice operators including the workers in the centers, and in technical and financial support towards the rehabilitation of the survivors.
The European Union funds the End OSEC project and is under the implementation of the End OSEC Consortium which consists of Viva Denmark, Philippine Children's Ministries Network, and International Justice Mission (IJM) Philippines. ###