As an answer to the increasing number of child abuse in the society, the City Government of Valenzuela has come-out in establishing an “all in” safe haven for children needing special protection, such as those experiencing neglect, discrimination, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions which hinder the development of the minors.

Inaugurated on July 10, the Child Protection Center located at the Valenzuela City Hall grounds beside the City Health Office Annex – Sanitation Unit is complete with medico-legal room, interview room with one-way mirror and viewing area, counseling rooms, conference room, play room, Gender and Development corner, walk-in file station,, information counter and visitor’s lounge.

The City Government, along with the Consuelo Foundation, joined hands in making the city a child-friendly community through the creation of this 180 sq. meters protection center wherein all services are free of charges.

According to Ms. Ma. Kristina Ramos, focal person for children of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the multi-disciplinary team, who had undergone seminars and trainings about child protection, will be the one who will meet with the child instead of the latter going to different offices to prevent re-victimization and re-traumatization.

“Ang approach ay multi-disciplinary approach pagdating sa management ng mga cases natin. Kapag sinabing multi-discplinary approach, doon sa Child Protection Center, mayroon na tayong medical doctor, social worker, mayroon na tayong police investigator  (In terms of managing the children’s cases, we use the multi-disciplinary approach. When we say multi-disciplinary approach, medical doctor, social worker and police investigator are already available in the Child Protection Center),” Ms. Ramos added.

The Child Protection Center is the output of the Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention Network (CAPIN), a Consuelo Foundation program which is designed to be a community guide and strategy which calls for the adoption of child friendly practices in preventing and handling child abuse cases. 

Such prototype of complete child protection center is only the third in the country and the first in the National Capital Region (NCR).