“I still can’t believe that this is all real. After four long months of sleepless nights and heavy rains caused by teardrops, finally, I can now hug and kiss my son again.”
These were the words that Melanie Marzan stated as she was hugging and endlessly kissing his son, Marcus, after four months of being away from each other.
Marcus is one of the children who was rescued and taken into the custody of DSWD National Capital Region (NCR) after the Department issued a Cease-and Desist Order against Gentle Hands Inc.(GHI) on May 22, 2023.
The DSWD’s issuance of the CDO is based on a complaint that the orphanage had committed under the violation of Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination.
Melanie is the 28-year-old mother of the almost 2-year old boy Marcus, whom she placed at the Quezon City child care facility of Gentle Hands for temporary custody because of her condition on January 30, 2023.
Because of the circumstances of her other pregnancy, Melanie was forced to place Marcus to GHI for temporary custody because she has no one to look after his son after her helper suddenly disappeared while her parents are in the province.
Melanie, a call center representative, gave all her trust and confidence to GHI knowing that they will take good care of his son. But unfortunately, the situation got worst when she started to visit her son. She knew that her son was having cough and colds and on some days they did not let her see her son.
After giving birth to her third child, Melanie sought to get her son back from GHI since the facility’s custody was temporary and she still has the rights and control over his son.
On February 2, Melanie visited Marcus at GHI but was only given 10 minutes to see him. She then decided and requested to reunite with his son but GHI informed her that it was not yet possible because his son has not yet stayed in the orphanage for three months.
Melanie’s plea to GHI did not go through and GHI still illegally kept Marcus for no justifiable reasons.
The continuous refusal of GHI to release the child prompted Melanie to seek and file a complaint with the 8888 hotline of the Presidential Action Center in Malacanang. The PAC then transmitted the complaint to the DSWD Central office.
A social worker assisted and counseled Melanie. Meanwhile, DSWD NCR sent a letter on March 28, 2023 to GHI seeking clarification on the matter but the letter was ignored and got no response.
Melanie sought DSWD NCR’s assistance and fortunately the Department helped her and on May 26 during a Press Conference held at the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC), the reunion and clarifications on the said issues were cleared and discussed.
(Photo 1: Ms. Melanie Marzan with his son, Marcus, Ms. Helen Pereyra and Ms. Glenda Derla of DSWD NCR)
The Press Conference was attended by the DSWD spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez; DSWD NCR Assistant Regional Director for Operations , Ms. Teresita L. Valentino; RSCC Center Head, Ms. Glenda M. Derla; and DSWD NCR Social Welfare Specialist for Children, Ms. Helen Pereyra.
The Reunion/ Reintegration of Melanie and Marcus Marzan was heartwarming and an emotional sight to everyone.
Melanie and her parents could not explain the happiness and gratefulness in their hearts upon holding and embracing Marcus.
“Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng mga taong tumulong sa akin upang maisakatuparan ang bagay na ito, ang mayakap at mahagkan muli ang aking mahal na anak. Sa lahat ng kawani ng DSWD, lalo na kay Secretary Rex Gatchalian, na walang pag aalinlangan na ako ay tulungan upang muli kong makapiling ang aking anak,”a beaming Melanie said. ###
