PARANAQUE CITY (July 9, 2018) – The Community of Fr. Di Francia Center of Studies hosted the Seminar-Workshop on Child Protection Policy last July 9, 2018. Organized and spearheaded by the Provincial Sector on Charity and Missions, the participants came from the religious communities of Fr. Di Francia Center of Studies, Fr. Hannibal Formation Center, St. Hannibal Rogate Center, Rogationist Postulancy Center, Rogationist Novitiate, St. Hannibal Empowerment Center, St. Hannibal Multi-Level School in Multinational Village, and St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Bautista, Pangasinan.
Atty. Catherine Scerri, Deputy Director of the Bahay Tuluyan Foundation, served as the Keynote Speaker and Workshop Facilitator for that whole-day encounter.
The morning session explored various cases on child abuse and how it can be prevented through knowledge of the risks and vulnerabilities of children in a given context. From time to time, the participants were engaged into several interactive sessions as part of Atty. Scerri’s discussions. Likewise, the participants were also given the opportunity to discuss and share insights within their groups about the various challenges and opportunities to promote a child-friendly environment in the communities, especially within the educational apostolate of the Rogationist St. Matthew Province.
In the afternoon, Atty. Scerri deepened on the need for institutions to have Child Protection Policies as a way to safeguard the child-friendly climate that is to be promoted in the communities. Such policies also serve as “guide in the difficult circumstances, provide some protection against false accusations, and would be good for reputation.”
Towards the end of the encounter, the Provincial Councilor on Charity and Missions, Fr. Orville Cajigal, RCJ, delivered his concluding remarks, stressing on the need of the common concerted effort in promoting the welfare of the children. As he related the story of a child he knew, he challenged the participants to look at the children with a question, “Is he/she broken?” He shared the need to protect the children, as this is the thrust of the Province.
Between the morning and afternoon sessions, lunch was catered to by the community. Within the sessions themselves, merienda were served. The workshop concluded at around 5:00pm.
*A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is included in the attachments. Thank you!
Bro. John Francis Aberion, RCJ
