CCTFSC graduates decrease for lack of funding

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Task Force on Street Children (CCTFSC) has confirmed a decrease in the number of their graduates this year compared to last year because of lack of financial support.

In yesterday’s CCTFSC 16th Recognition of Graduates at the Cebu City Operation Second Chance Center in Barangay Kalunasan, Alita Bolo of the task force’s secretariat told The FREEMAN that the decrease was brought about by the closure of some of their benefactors. At present the CCTFSC has 20 benefactors supporting their scholars.

According to Bolo, they only have 328 graduates this year, 156 from elementary, 110 in high school and 29 in college. There were also 33 who graduated in the special education program. The number is slightly lower compared to the more than 350 last year.

Cebu City Councilor Margarita “Margot” Qsmeña who is known as the “mother of Cebu City street children” praised all CCTFSC graduates for their new achievement.

“College is not anymore a dream for our children but is already a reality for those who strive for it,” Osmeña said in her speech.

Osmeña said the project second chance is not just for the minors, but for our society. She assured the students of the task force that the City of Cebu has prioritized education, adding that the city is for them and that they are always ready to help in reaching their dreams.

“Now we have progressed… unta, nakasabot mo nga ang edukasyon ang dalan sa paglaum.. salamat sa inyo’ng pagsalig kanamo” Osmeña told the graduates.

Second Chance Center head, Merlina Metante proudly disclosed that they have 24 graduates out of 60 from their Alternative Learning System (ALS) program.

Second Chance Center is a detention facility run by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology for minor offenders.   Though small, Metante already considers it as an achievement because they only have one graduate last year.  

 Metante attributed the increase to the inspiration shown by one of their former resident who is now studying criminology at the University of Cebu. The student is currently supported by the City of Cebu.

The lady warden also hoped that more second chance center residents would continue to strive for their future through education in succeeding years.

The center according to Metante has 10 staffers that stand as their resident’s tutors through their “Guro Ko Tagapangalaga Ko” which started last year.

Resident of the second chance center can approach during their spare time any of the 10 staffers to assist them in their ASL modules at the same time enticing them to be more diligent in their studies.

Since Metante’s installation as warden in 2008, she has personally seen an increase of residents who now understand the importance of education in their lives.

“June,” a former second chance center resident is currently enrolled at the Don Bosco Training Center for vocational training after graduating through ALS.

He wants to gear towards a new future away from the harsh memories of the past, making the past as his motivation to successfully reach his dreams. 

According to June, without the second chance center he could not have reached a point in his life where he could try to reach his dream.

As a former resident, he also encourages his former colleagues in the center to have faith and study well in order to have a brighter future. — Ryan Christopher J. Sorote/FPL (THE FREEMAN)