INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday welcomed a Senate resolution seeking an inquiry into the closure of Quezon City orphanage Gentle Hands Inc. (GHI).
DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said that the probe would offer a 鈥渇orum to answer all issues鈥� about its proceedings with GHI, including the cease-and-desist order it issued on May 23, the revocation of GHI鈥檚 fire safety permits following a Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) inspection on May 24, and the 鈥渄isruption鈥� cases reported by the National Authority for Child Care (NACC).
READ: NACC reports disruption cases in Gentle Hands kids; orphanage calls allegations 鈥榣udicrous鈥� 听
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday filed the resolution seeking an investigation into the issue. Under Senate Resolution No. 643, Hontiveros-led Senate Committee on Women, children, family relations, and gender equality will investigate into the case of GHI.
鈥淲hile the safety and adequacy of living standards are important concerns, it is also important to determine whether or not the correct processes were followed in the removal of the children from a child care facility鈥� and whether or not these processes are informed by the best interest of the child doctrine,鈥� Hontiveros said in her resolution.
READ: Senate inquiry into QC orphanage closure sought听
Lopez said that Hontiveros鈥� investigation would be 鈥渉elpful鈥� in creating legislation to ensure child protection and that the welfare bureau is ready to cooperate with Hontiveros.
GHI has also challenged the halt order issued by the DSWD, contesting that violations alleged by the welfare authority are not enough to warrant the children鈥檚 removal from the orphanage.
READ: Orphanage questions DSWD closure order, eyes TRO
The Commission on Human Rights has previously urged the DSWD and all other involved authorities to minimize the risk of further trauma for the GHI children residents following reports that armed officials were present during the kids鈥� transfer out of the orphanage.
The Association of Child Caring Agencies of the Philippines has also sought transparency from the welfare department, asserting that 鈥渢he best interest of the children must be the paramount consideration鈥� in its dealings with the orphanage.
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