CALOOCAN City Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan, through the City Social Welfare Development Department (CSWDD), launched a “Family Day Celebration” for rescued street children and identified children in conflict with the law, at Amparo Nature Park on Thursday afternoon.

According to the mayor, this activity aims to provide recreation to the children and their families and guide them as they are the “basic unit of a stronger society.”

“Nais natin na maiparamdam sa ating mga kabataan ang kahalagahan ng pamilya, lalo’t ito ang pundasyon ng isang matatag na komunidad. Sa simpleng araw na inilaan natin sa kanila, sana’y nag-enjoy sila sa pakikisalamuha sa kanilang mga kapwa-bata,” Mayor Along said.

According to CSWDD Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Roberto Quizon, a total of 70 children who were rescued in the department’s reach-out operations, some currently residing in the city’s drop-in center or operated shelters, participated in recreation, ate snacks and engaged in swimming activities.

“Kabuuang 70 na kabataan po ang nakilahok sa ating programa. Libre po ang snacks, mayroon din tayong palaro at ang iba po’y nagswimming pa. Sila po’y galing sa ating drop-in centers at mga shelters sa Tahanang Magpala and Social Development Center sa Brgy 171,” Quizon said.

The said department is set to also conduct another family day celebration in South Caloocan for street children and their families, as well as for those residing in Bahay Pag-asa, on Thursday, October 20, at Buena Park, Barangay 80.

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Edd Reyes