By Vic G. del Pilar
With the family, we visited Saturday the Lingap Center at Barangay Dao, this city, purposely to look into the plight of the children being housed in that poor and shanty institution. Thru its caretaker of the day, Evangeline we were appraised of the situation regarding the profile of each occupant, I am referring to the children inside the center. There are at least 20 young souls inhabited the center. Young boys and girls, ages ranging from 2 to 16 years old, consisting of abandoned, abused and stowed away from cruel parents, as well as children who run away from home because as they revealed have nothing to eat at home.
It was an inspiring experience because, it was my daughter Lily Kristine based in Cagayan de Oro who was interested to meet the Lingap kids as part of her panata for year 2010, she being an active missionary worker of a local Church in that area.
My son, Bong and wife Matel who are both employed with the NSO and Pagibig, respectively brought along some hand me down goods and food which the children shared and enjoyed. With my wife Lyds, Bong, Matel, their only daughter Sophia Marie and Krisitine, we were happily met by the children and ushered them inside their quarters to see what's life inside the center.
Life inside the center is sad and deplorable for the children. Not much on food, Evangeline has revealed. The city DSWD, through the city government saw to it that the children get their food on time under the stewardship of the Social Welfare Development. The Lingap center management gets a good budget, through the city government. But what is needed more is to provide a little decent home of the pitiful children out there sleeping on dilapidated mats and pillows, worn out foams that is only fitted for rabbits and pigs at pig pens.
What if the million funds spent on firecrackers during Christmas, new year celebration and or a show for visiting dignitaries, part of it would go for the children, would there be quarrel on that?
It is a matter of concern for our local city officials to look into the plight of occupants at the Lingap Center. The center is the brain child of the city government. Mayor Co and the rest of the Sangguniang Panglungsod members must open up their eyes on this problem. LGU officials enjoy much of the abundance in life out of city funds, but the children at the Center are not. The children are truly the hope of the nation. It is for this reason that we, the elders must provide them what is best for their life in the preparation of their growing old and becoming a useful members of the society.
To Mayor Co, the next move is all yours to do.
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