ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Sept. 10 (PNA) — Tuloy Bahay Bata, an institution that aims to uplift the welfare of street children in this city, is now open.
City Mayor Ed Pamintuan, together with Tuloy Foundation Inc., founder Fr. Marciano “Rocky” Evangelista, SDB, led the formal launching Wednesday of the institution located in Barangay Cuayan, this city.
“We truly appreciate the efforts of Fr. Rocky on mentoring the children and transforming their lives. With their expertise and experience, we believe that they could educate these children and make them productive members of society in the future,” Pamintuan said as he expressed his all out support to the program.
A usufruct agreement was signed by Pamintuan and Tuloy Foundation on June 25, 2015 for the exclusive use of the idle Bahay Bata facility, which was then managed by the Rotary Club of Clark Centennial.
The Timog Silangan Development Corporation owned the property but donated the facility to the local government on November 16, 2010.
Tuloy Bahay Bata is designed to help marginalized and abandoned children to regain self worth and dignity, giving them a chance for a better life; acquire Christian values and habits for a decent, humane and Christian life and; develop the skills and training for self reliance and integration into society.
The city mayor gave Fr. Rocky the go signal to operate the center, telling him “If you were able to do it in Alabang, you can also do it here in Angeles – and we will definitely be here to support you.”
The local government shall exempt the Bahay Bata from any and all local taxes, imposts, fees and assessments such as real property taxes, business and/or mayor’s permit fees.
On the other hand, the foundation received pledges that sum up to Php5 million from private groups such as Consuelo Foundation Inc., Luenthai, Don Bosco Pampanga Alumni Association, Laus Group of Companies and anonymous individuals in the region.
Pamintuan also expressed his personal pledge to support the facility, not in his capacity as city mayor, but as a citizen of Angeles.
“Rest assured, in my own way, from my own pocket, I will give you what you need. On behalf of the city government, thank you to everything you are doing.” the mayor said.
According to statistics from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, there is an estimated total of 1,500 street children in Angeles City in the year 2010. (PNA)