Camarines sur: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended assistance to the family of the 11-year-old student from the Redeemer Homeless Mission (RHM) in Camarines Sur who wrote a letter to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. seeking the chief executive's help for her fellow students.

According to Philippines News Agency, the letter appealed for the President's assistance in investigating the alleged harassment of a local official from Barangay Caloco in Tinambac town, Camarines Sur, and the sexual abuse perpetrated by the official's two sons. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian immediately acted on the child's request, in line with the President's directive.

'After an on-site assessment conducted by the DSWD Field Office (FO) 5 - Bicol Region, cash relief assistance amounting to PHP10,000 each were provided to five families of the residents of Redeemer Homeless Mission, including the involved child,' DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in a news release on Monday.

Based on the DSWD FO-5 report, the team also provided psychosocial first aid to three child residents of the non-governmental organization. 'Overall, the general findings of the visit highlighted gaps in access to basic services, a stable source of livelihood, and protection mechanisms needed to ensure that the children will grow in a safe and supportive environment. We are seeking to provide additional support services to the children and families to address their needs,' Dumlao said.

The DSWD spokesperson also assured that the department will conduct home visits this week to the remaining child residents of RHM and their families. 'For the remaining children, we already requested assistance from the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC) to send a licensed psychologist to provide additional psychosocial support services. Two families who have not yet received assistance will be provided cash relief assistance this week,' she said.

The DSWD has also taken note of the facility's environment as a preventive measure against child abuse, mentioning the need to improve safety conditions. Under the directive of Gatchalian, the DSWD FO-5 will continue to closely monitor the condition of the involved children and their families and provide necessary interventions as needed.