The Davao City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is strengthening child protection during calamities through Child Friendly Spaces vehicles, giving children a safe environment to express themselves through playing, drawing and storytelling as therapy during disasters.
This, as the city observes the National Disaster Resilience Month.
Josephine Bangkil, Technical Staff, of CSWDO explained that children are the most at risk in times of calamity because they cannot make decisions for themselves and rely on adults for care and guidance.
“Importante ni sa mga kabataan tungod kay ang mga bata labing delikado or sila ang vulnerable sa panahon sa kalamidad. Dili pa sila makahimo og desisyon alang sailahang kaugalingon ug nagkinahanglan sila sa pag atiman ug giya sa hamtong (This is important for children because they are the most vulnerable during times of disaster. They still cannot make decisions for themselves and need care and guidance from adults. If they are not protected, the likelihood of experiencing trauma, abuse, and possibly being separated from their families increases),” she told Usapang Pambata: Special Office for Children’s Concern (SOCC) over Davao City Disaster Radio on July 28, 2026.
Without proper protection, Bangkil warned, the likelihood of children experiencing trauma, abuse, or separation from their families increases significantly.
She said that one of indicators that a child is struggling emotionally after a calamity is when a child prefers to be alone, refuse to speak and play, losing an appetite, or avoid participation in any activities.
She also advised families to prepare children before emergencies by teaching them about safe meeting points, orienting them on what to do in case of disaster, and preparing a Go Bag with their essentials.
“Sa atong mga ginikanan, sa wala pa nahitabo ang emergency kinahanglan atoa na iandam ang atoang mga kabataan. Sama sa makabalo sila kung asa sila muadto kung adunay naay kalamidad, labi na og naa sila sa skwelahan, sultian nato sila daan nga in case of emergency diri ta magkita or didto ta mag adto aning lugara. Iready nato ang atoang mga bata pinaagi sa pag andam og Go bag, iready nato na kung unsay isulod dinha, unsay ipang butang dinha daan. Atoa pod silang iorient nga be ready always, kay ang matag bata is special (To our parents, before an emergency happens, we need to prepare our children. Like knowing where to go in case of a disaster, especially if they are at school, we should tell them in advance that in case of an emergency, we will meet here or go to this place. Let’s prepare our children by preparing a Go bag, let’s get it ready with what to put inside, what to include in it beforehand. We should also orient them to be ready always, because every child is special),” she added.
The CSWDO, through the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) team, continues to operate the Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) to provide children with services in the absence if a conducive space.
If there are suspected cases of abuse and exploitation, reports can be made through the City Social Welfare and Development Office, the Philippine National Police- Women and Child Protection Center and the Quick Response Team for Children’s Concerns at 0910-678-4711 or by calling the Kean Gabriel hotline at 0908-818-4444 or dial 911. CIO
Written by: N. Malasado
Edited by: A. Nawal