Press Release

Recently, the tripartite partnership among Japanese Non-Profit Organization (NPO) A Child's Trust Is Ours to Nurture (ACTION), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), concluded a capacity-building project that improved the delivery of services by social workers and house parents in childcare institutions in Region III (Central Luzon) and the National Capital Region (NCR).

The Technical Cooperation for Grassroots Project (TCGP) Ensuring Children's Potential for Development and Independence through Improved Residential Care Practices trains house parents and social workers on how to teach life skills to Children in Need of Special Protection (CNSP) and help them become productive and independent individuals in the future. The guidelines resulting from the said project, which were an output from the joint effort of DSWD and ACTION, were given the green light to be implemented nationwide on August 7, 2019.

"A good and caring environment is very important for every growing child, so I believe in this longstanding partnership and this new opportunity and journey that will enable us to provide this," said ACTION President and Founder Yokota Hajime.

Likewise, ACTION Executive Director Lani Bayron-Llanes is proud of this accomplishment as she recalled her own experience as a child who grew up in a childcare institution. Now at her current position, she is in the perfect place to give back to the children and the very institution that molded her to who she is at present.

Masuko Etsuko, JICA Philippines Senior Representative added, "We [JICA] strive to work with organizations like ACTION and DSWD to ensure that those who are disadvantaged have the opportunity to become productive members of society and succeed in life."

287 house parents from Region III and NCR also completed the "Training on House Parenting" that involved upgrading their general knowledge, skills, and attitudes in child rearing practices so that children in childcare facilities will experience better parenting services.

Social Welfare Officer Sheilla Enaje of Bahay Pag-asa in Muntinlupa, a recipient of said training, said that she became more confident in dealing with the needs of the children in her care after the training. She further stated that her personal commitment to the children is always a source of pride for her as she continues to stand up for them.

House Bill No. 8858 decrees Bahay Pag-asa, among others, as a youth rehabilitation and correction facility that provides residential care for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) from ages 12 to 18 years old.

The Philippines has one of the youngest populations in Asia, with about one-third of the population belonging to the youth sector. Projects that target the youth, especially the vulnerable, are considered critical to the future development of the country.

At the closing ceremony for the Technical Cooperation for Grassroots Project Ensuring Children's Potential for Development and Independence through Improved Residential Care Practices