BACOLOD City — A newborn baby girl was rescued by the Bacolod City Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) after she was delivered outside a school in Barangay 4 on the evening of May 18.
According to Anjanette Servano, the incident was initially attended to by barangay officials, who later sought assistance from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
“We responded after receiving information from the CDRRMO regarding a woman, allegedly suffering from mental illness, who had given birth on a bench outside Andres Bonifacio Elementary School 1 (ABES-1),” Servano said.
Barangay officials were the first to respond before coordinating with the CDRRMO, which in turn alerted the DSSD.
Initial reports indicated that the baby had already been delivered several hours before authorities received the information at around 11 p.m.
The infant was subsequently brought to the lying-in clinic of the City Health Office (CHO) for medical attention after she was reportedly left behind by her parents.
Servano said the newborn is in good condition.
Authorities are now searching for the baby’s mother and father. Information gathered by the DSSD revealed that the mother reportedly has relatives residing in Barangay Mansilingan.
Members of the Bacolod City Mendicancy Management Division (BCMMD) returned to the area where the baby was born in an effort to locate the parents. Authorities found that the site also served as the couple’s temporary shelter.
Servano said the couple had previously been advised by the BCMMD on several occasions to vacate the area.
She added that if the mother’s family is found incapable of properly caring for the child, the DSSD may take custody of the infant to ensure her welfare and protection.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident while ensuring the newborn receives appropriate care and assistance./PN
