800 street kids off to summer camp

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Task Force on Street Children assured that last year’s experience wherein eight of the 15 Kaohsiung buses transporting summer camp participants were held by the police in Barili for traveling without proper documents.

CCTFSC executive director Annabeth Cuizon said they have ensured that all buses to be used are registered to avoid a similar incident last year wherein summer camp participants have been traumatized.

They have also coordinated with Acting Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador for their security.

Cuizon said this year’s summer camp will be held in Matutinao Elementary School in Badian from April 11 to 16. According to Cuizon, they are expecting 800 street children to join the activity this year.

The activity which has been done by the CCTFSC for the past 19 years is aimed to foster friendship and camaraderie among street children.

Cuizon said social workers will serve as house parents for the participants.

Last year, the buses transporting the summer camp participants were apprehended by the different police stations in the south. Eight buses were flagged down by the Barili police during a checkpoint.

The buses were held for sometime because the driver failed to show registration papers. The Cebu City government which owns the buses explained that the registration papers are still on process.

It was however seen as something political because of the conflict between the city government and the province during that time. (FREEMAN)