DSWD chief Tulfo mulls 3-strike policy for rescued children

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin Tulfo on Monday said he was considering a three-strike policy for rescued children who are taken off the streets.

At a public briefing, Tulfo expressed frustration over the cycle of parents just reclaiming their children after the minors had been rescued by authorities multiple times.

“Ngayon, medyo hihigpitan pa natin ngayon. Yung tinatawag nating three strikes. Kapag nakatatlong beses nang ni-rescue ng pamahalaan ng LGU ang iyong anak sa lansangan, tinitingnan namin kung pupuwede na bang kunin ng DSWD ang pangangalaga sa mga bata na ito,” he said.

(Now, it will be stricter. We will implement a three-strike policy. When the LGU rescues your child for the third time, we will check if the DSWD can take custody of these children.)

Tulfo added that he would consult with legal experts and other government agencies, including Congress, the Office of the Solicitor General, and Malacañang, about the legality of his proposal.

For Tulfo, it would be better if these children were under the care of the DSWD rather than parents who keep neglecting them.

In some LGUs, Tulfo said parents are just asked to perform community service to reclaim their children.

Meanwhile, Tulfo said he also observed a similar cycle with indigenous peoples rescued from begging in the streets.

The DSWD Secretary said he planned to provide these IPs with livelihoods in their home communities. — DVM, GMA News