PREVENTIVE MEASURES. Overseas Workers’ Welfare Agency XI Regional Director Eduardo Bellido says he is planning to craft a policy that will prevent mothers from leaving their young children in the hands of guardians in order to work abroad. Bellido’s comments came after a toddler from Calinan district in Davao City died due to beating by his guardians last week. (By Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — In the wake of the death of an abused toddler here, a ranking official of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said he is open to a policy that would prevent mothers from leaving their young children to designated guardians while working abroad.
“What we want to look into here is to have a policy that would prevent mothers from going outside the country, especially those who have just given birth. We want to look at the emotional upbringing, and the care that only a mother could give,” Eduardo Bellido, regional director of OWWA XI, said Monday in a press conference.
Bellido said, however, that this would still be subjected for legislation.
Bellido’s statement came in the wake of the death of John Earl Cagalitan, a 2-year old boy who was beaten by his guardian.
Police report showed the boy had bruises all over the body.
John Earl’s mother, Erlinda was working as an overseas worker in Bahrain.
The boy is scheduled to be buried on Wednesday, Nov. 23.
“We really have to look into this, because not only the elderly need care. How about the children? We have to bolster our efforts to protect not only the OFW, but also the family,” Bellido said. (davaotoday.com)
