Children’s council seeks more budget 

THE COUNCIL for the Welfare of Children on Monday asked congressmen to increase its budget for next year so it can hire more social workers.  

Council officer-in-charge Normina E. Mojica told a House of Representatives budget hearing they need more licensed social workers to fulfill their mandate of formulating and evaluating programs for children. 

“We are pleading with the representatives to increase our budget,” council Executive Director Angelo M. Tapales told the hearing. The council is an attached agency of the Social Welfare department. 

Laguna first district Rep. Ma. Rene Ann Lourdes G. Matibag cited the country’s lack of social workers and their low salaries. 

Laguna second district Rep. Ruth Mariano-Hernandez asked if the Social Welfare department, to which the Council for the Welfare of Children is attached, has a budget for scholarship programs to produce social workers.  

Social Welfare Director Gemma B. Gabuya said they don’t offer scholarships to social welfare students but would do so if needed. — K.A. Bulan