30/07/2026
Olongapo City — To continuously elevate the quality of alternative child care and residential management, an intensive five-day Training on Houseparenting was conducted on July 13–17, 2026 at the PREDA Administrative Office at Upper Kalaklan, Olongapo City.
The capacity-building activity was facilitated through a collaborative effort between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Academy, DSWD Field Office 3, and A Child’s Trust Is Ours to Nurture (ACTION), Inc., in strategic partnership with the PREDA Foundation, Inc.
Houseparents serve as the primary caregivers for vulnerable, abandoned, neglected, and traumatized children living within residential care facilities. Recognizing their critical role in providing day-to-day nurture, emotional support, and structure, the 5-day session was designed to equip participants with updated, standardized, rights-based, and trauma-informed methodologies.
The primary objectives of the training included the promotion of children’s rights and safety, trauma-informed care and behavioral management, custodial care and facility life, proper reporting, documentation, and stress management.
The activity highlighted the strong commitment of government agencies and civil society organizations (CSOs) working together toward the protection and development of Filipino children.
• DSWD Academy & DSWD Field Office 3: Guided the modules under national standards, ensuring that all learning interventions align with statutory requirements for residential care facilities.
• ACTION, Inc.: Shared specialized technical knowledge and specialized modules tailored to empowering residential care staff and houseparents.
• PREDA Foundation: Hosted the 5-day workshop at its administrative center, providing a supportive venue for practical workshops, simulations, and group discussions while offering insight into their long-standing child advocacy work.
The training hosted 31 houseparents from different residential-care facilities from Zambales and Bataan—13 from PREDA Foundation’s home for children.
Through interactive lectures, practical workshops, and case study discussions, participants deepened their understanding of compassionate caregiving. The successful completion of this 5-day training represents a significant step forward in establishing safe, nurturing, and healing residential communities across Central Luzon.