PCWC Sees Brighter Light for Crisis Center

After several groundbreaking ceremonies, the Cebu Provincial Children and Women’s Commission (PCWC) now sees the end of the tunnel for the long-awaited center for women and children.

Governor Hilario P. Davide III, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, assistant provincial prosecutor Lolita Lumanta and the rest of the members of PCWC led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cebu Women and Children’s Crisis Center yesterday.

“This is the third time that we are launching the building but after talking to DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) Secretary Dinky Soliman, I was assured that the national government will help us,” shared Magpale.

She added that she is confident the center will push through this time because the project has been bidded out.

The center will rise on a 1,000 sq. m lot in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City near the Cebu Provincial Police Office.

The 492 sq. m. main building will serve as the Child Protection Services Unit composed of the legal, psychosocial, direct social services, medical and administrative sections. Three cottages will also be put covering 16 sq. m each that will serve as the crisis centers for women and children.

Capitol allotted P10 million for the construction of the 40-bedroom center which is expected to be done after 5 months, said Magpale.

She added that another P10 million is expected to come from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

However, Magpale assured that the center will already be functional by July of this year even without DSWD’s share yet.

“Once their share arrives, we can expand the center and cater more women and children,” she said.

Davide said the construction of the center is for the women and children who are victims of abuse, violence, human trafficking and all other forms of exploitation.

“I’d like to call this a monument of love. Long after we shall have left office, this will remain as the monument of our care and concern for the welfare of women and children”, he expressed.

Davide also requested TCI-Tuanson Construction, the project’s contractor, to make this their “labor of love”.

“Do it fast without sacrificing the quality,” he asked.

www.cebu.gov.ph