“We are here not only to celebrate our 25th Anniversary but also to reflect on our purpose, how we can rekindle our passion and we can inflame the whole country… So that every province will have a women and children protection unit and every abused woman and child in the country will know that we are here for them.” — Bernadette J. Madrid MD, Executive Director of the Child Protection Network Foundation, Inc.
In the United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child, Child Protection is a recognized right. A goal in the UN Agenda of Sustainable Development is to end all forms of violence against children.
Child abuse is a silent crime. According to research data, it affects one billion children worldwide. The medico-social consequences are constrained by the issues of poverty, the lack of sufficient governmental and social infrastructure, and conflict.
In the 2016 study by the Council for the Welfare of Children on Violence against Children in the Philippines, the statistics revealed that three out of five Filipino children (66.3%) were abused, that 62.8% were psychologically abused, and 65% were bullied. One in five children — 21.5% — have experienced sexual abuse.
The Philippine General Hospital – Child Protection Unit (PGH-CPU) was established in 1997.
David G. Bradley and Dr. Victoria LM Herrera spearheaded the full framework analysis, in consultation with Child Abuse pediatrics experts at Rady Children’s Hospital, the University of California San Diego, and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. The philanthropic vision of the Advisory Board Foundation (ABF), now CityBridge Foundation (CBF), was responsible for the CPU.
The analysis identified that most street children were physically or sexually abused. Assessment was done regarding the needs, resources, and strategic multidisciplinary partners, in consultation with the Chancellor of the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, government agencies, NGOs, and workers on the frontlines.
Twenty-five years ago, the first 24/7 hospital-based CPU was created to prioritize and provide integrated medical care and interdisciplinary resources for abused children and their families.
The Child Protection Network Foundation (CPN) is responsible for the establishment of CPUs nationwide to reduce child abuse and neglect, and to increase accessibility to child protection services. Its seed funding initiatives was provided by ABF (now CBF) with the critical support of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the UP Manila System, the Dean of the UP College of Medicine, the cabinet secretaries of the departments of Social Welfare, Justice, and Health, the Chancellor of the Philippines Judicial Academy, clinical and scientific advisors, legal consultants and partners, among many others.
“The PGH-CPU and CPN embody the fruition of vision into opportunity and success. Operationalization was facilitated by a ‘right place, right time, right people’ scenario with the convergence of recognition of need, readiness of multidisciplinary expertise support of institutional leaders, tactical logistics and the shared spirit of generosity of all those involved.” (Acta Medica Philippina, The National Health Science Journal)
The operations and the success of the PGH-CPU were due to the leadership and dedication of Dr. Bernadette Madrid, who is the founding director of both the PGH-CPU and CPN, and her staff. She was conferred the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award last November. In her acceptance speech, she generously acknowledged CPN and shared the award with all those who have worked with her and who have supported their passion to help the children.
At the silver anniversary of PGH-CPU, the founders gave their inspiring remarks.
“It’s great to be among advocates of children. My presence here is to show you that the University of the Philippines Manila appreciates the work of the Child Protection Unit. Even during the lockdown, I saw how you innovated, how you made yourselves available despite the fact that borders were closed. That is really something to be a model for the rest of the country. We may have different paths but because we are dealing with children we are in the right place, thinking of the future of the country,” said Carmencita D. Padilla, MD, the Chancellor of UP Manila.
“Your work is not left unnoticed internationally, and, of course, by PGH. We always try to make sure that the support you need is given, and as long as Dr. Madrid is there, there is nothing that we can refuse,” declared Gerardo D. Legaspi, MD, the Director of UP-PGH.
“The work that CPU and CPN is doing is something I am very proud of and something very meaningful, something I’m very blessed to be part of… I hope tonight will also contribute to a happy memory given that you should all applaud yourselves for 25 years of amazing work,” said Julio Sy, Jr., Trustee of the Child Protection Network Foundation, Inc.
“We thank our partners who have supported us and continue to support us. To all our donors, our deepest gratitude. Thank you for helping us provide the children in our care the best service. Together we can stop violence against women and children. On to the next 25 years!” cheered Katrina Legarda, the Director of the National Network for Women and Children Protection Units, Child Protection Network Foundation, Inc.
Bravo to the visionaries, the dedicated, hardworking founders and staff, the generous Trustees of and partners of PGH-CPU, CPN Foundation, and all the passionate protectors of women and children!
Maria Victoria Rufino is an artist, writer and businesswoman. She is president and executive producer of Maverick Productions.