The Home for Girls of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas celebrated its thirty-first anniversary on October 28, 2024, at its covered court in Brgy. Labangon, Cebu City.

HFG is a residential care facility for girl children ages 7–17, removed from their families due to sexual abuse and exploitation. It seeks to provide them with protection and rehabilitation towards recovery and reintegration.

The anniversary theme, embracing decades of triumph, nurturing, and protecting lives toward empowerment and transformation, reminds the number of years the center has empowered and transformed young girls and highlights its responsibility in nurturing and protecting them from abusive environments.

Center Head Jenifer S. Abastillas expressed that the celebration is not only for the children but also a profound appreciation to a network of partners who have been helping to protect girl children and empowering them to become free and spirited individuals.

She added that the center takes pride in the many past rehabilitative activities because of its established partnerships.

“With the many years of forming a network of protectors for these young girls, we are certain that the years to come will be filled with hope, aspirations, and empowered young women ready to take a stand against an abusive environment,” she said.

During the celebration, HFG recognized its partners who supported and collaborated with them, namely, the local and national government agencies, privately run social welfare and development agencies and organizations, individuals, and academic institutions that provided varied allied health services and facilitated the girls’ education.

Through the partnerships formed by HFG’s commitment and compassionate service, many girl children admitted to the facility were able to hold on to their hopes and dreams and achieve life’s milestones.

Assistant Regional Director for Administration Tonyson Luther S. Lee expressed that because of HFG partnerships, many remarkable stories of courage, resilience, and change were seen over the years.

“We are inspired by the vision and journey of HFG towards a child-sensitive and friendly residential care facility. Our vision is that no children will ever get to experience abuse and violence and stay in this facility. With these partnerships, we are certain that comprehensive rehabilitation and protection programs will be available for young girls who are victims of abuse,” he explained.

The anniversary is a validation of the long-standing commitment of DSWD to protect young girls. With HFG’s roster of partners, young girls who are victims of sexual abuse and violence can rise above their circumstances and embrace a life filled with hope and possibilities.

Currently, the center caters to 24 number of girl children residents who are victims of sexual abuse, exploitation of children, and domestic violence, among others. ###

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