The Home for Girls of DSWD Field Office 7–Central Visayas honored 21 partners during its 31st anniversary celebration held on December 9, 2025, at the AVRC II Multi-Purpose Hall.

The Home for Girls is a temporary residential facility that provides care and protection to abused and exploited children aged 6 to below 18 years old.

These partners have played an important role in supporting the facility through programs and services that help ensure the well-being and recovery of the children temporarily residing at the center.

Assistant Regional Director for Administration Tonyson Luther S. Lee delivered the anniversary message on behalf of Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero.

“Your commitment and compassion strengthen our mission. Through your programs, support, and constant collaboration, you help us build a safe and nurturing environment where our girls can regain confidence, dignity, and a brighter future,” the message read.

Originally set for October 28, 2025, the celebration was postponed due to the various disasters that struck Cebu. “We cannot afford to celebrate while others are in distress. Our social workers have been deployed to augment disaster operations. For this reason, we opted for a simple gathering focused on honoring our partners and recognizing their support,” according to the statement.

For DSWD 7, nurturing strong partnerships is essential in sustaining the operations of the center and advancing the welfare of girl children through various programs, services, and projects.

Partners present during the celebration received recognition, including the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office 7; Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) PRO 7; Cebu City Health Department; Rural Health Unit of Brgy. Labangon, Cebu City; St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital; and the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center–Program for Young Parents, representing local and national government agencies.

Private partners were also acknowledged, namely Innodata Knowledge Services, Inc.; Cebuano Arts Club; Restore Children and Family Services; Cebu Hope Center, Inc.; World Hope International; Juanito I. King Foundation, Inc.; Virgen Delos Remedios Church; Eleison Foundation; and the Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines.

Academic partners such as Cebu Doctor’s University and Cebu Technological University were also recognized. Individual partners were likewise acknowledged for their support: Dr. Dino Dongon Caing and Dr. Maria Janet S. Porchia.

At present, the Home for Girls provides care and support to 35 girl children, most of whom are survivors of trafficking and Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC). From January to December 2025, the Home for Girls has served a total of 121 girls with various cases. ###