32 CHILDREN FROM KOJC-AFFILIATED CARE FACILITY NOW IN DSWD CUSTODY

THIRTY-TWO children from the Children’s Joy Foundation, Inc. (CJFI), a care facility affiliated with the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJ), a sect formed by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, is now in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

According to DSWD Assistant Secretary for Standards and Capacity Building Group (SCBG) Janet Armas , the CJFI  has an expired Certificate of Registration and License to Operate (CRLTO) covering its five residential facilities in Region 3 (Central Luzon), Region 4A (Calabarzon), Region 7 (Central Visayas), Region 11 (Davao Region), and the National Capital Region (NCR).

“Sa ngayon ay wala po silang registration and license. May five po kami na centers sa Regions 3, 4A, 7, 11 and NCR. Nag-usap naman kami with the executive director at maganda ang naging result. Na-transfer po ang mga bata mula sa five centers. May na-reintegrate sa kanilang families, mayroon ding na-transfer sa ating mga licensed Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs), and sa centers ng DSWD,”  Armas said.

Of the 32 children from CJHI, the SCBG official said 13 are currently staying at the residential care facilities of the DSWD and SWDAs while 14 have been reintegrated to their families.

The remaining five children are either in foster care or currently being prepared to have an independent living.

Earlier, in one of the Senate hearings, the senators instructed the DSWD to check all the SWDAs related to the KOJC to ensure the welfare of the children in the centers.

Armas said the CJFI did not meet the requirements set by the DSWD for the renewal of their CRLTO.

The CJFI application was held in abeyance until such time that it can prove its financial capacity to sustain its operations.

Armas also gave an update on the status of children from the Gentle Hands Inc. (GHI) that were transferred to the DSWD residential care facilities.

The GHI faced issues and violations, including faulty fire exits and excess in the allowable number of floors or storeys of their building, which led to the issuance of Cease-and-Desist Orders (CDOs) from the DSWD against the privately-run child caring facility.