At least 17 senior citizens were rescued after a private care facility in Maramag, Bukidnon was suspended by the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Northern Mindanao (DSWD-10) for operating in unfavorable conditions.

During inspection, DSWD-10 personnel found wooden beds placed beside filthy toilets and rooms that reeked of urine.

DSWD-10 immediately served a suspension order against the facility after confirming multiple violations in its operations and failure to provide adequate care for its residents.

The operation stemmed from complaints filed by concerned residents and families of the elderly housed in the facility.

“Kita gyud nato nga wala’y kapasidad nga magpadagan ang mga nagdumala ani para manindot nga serbisyo ang ilang mahatag sa ilang mga kliyente atong foundation. Labaw na ang ilang kliyente, mga senior citizens, mga PWD ug mga Persons with Mental Disabilities,” DSWD-10 Spokesperson, Roshiel Galia, said.

DSWD-10 added that the facility was not registered with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) nor accredited by the DSWD, making its operations illegal.

The home for the elderly also lacked licensed social workers and medical personnel, which are required to operate a legitimate care home for senior citizens.

“Dugay na daw kuno ni sila ga-operate, murag somewhere 2016, pero gabalhin-balhin sila og mga area. Tapos ang first nila, Kibawe, murag mga around 2022 to 2023 daw sila mibalhin sa Maramag pero kana siya ongoing pa ang among pag-validate sa tanan,” Galia added.

DSWD-10 is looking into reports that the operators collected payments from families for the admission of elderly clients and accepted donations from various individuals and organizations, raising suspicions that the operation may have been used as a money-making scheme.

“Sa ila pang ingon naa’y mga senior nga ibilin sa ilang mga pamilya, naa pud mga senior nga nakita ra o mianha ra sa ilaha, ilang gidawat o nakita, wala nakabalo unsaon pag-uli, mao na siya ilang gidawat sa ilang facility,” Galia said.

During the operation, 17 senior citizens were rescued, 15 of whom are now under the custody of DSWD-10 while two have been returned to their families.

DSWD-10 urged the public to immediately reported similar incidents involving illegal or abusive care facilities to the nearest DSWD office.