‘Seek help, don’t abort and dump your baby’ – Baguio social workers to expectant mothers in crisis

Baguio City, Philippines – Social workers in Baguio City are urging parents and expectant mothers in crisis to seek help rather than resorting to abandoning or harming their babies. Their statement came following the discovery of a fetus dumped in a garbage disposal site in Barangay Upper Rock Quarry.

According to social worker Joy Hilario, she was alerted by barangay officials at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 25, when the garbage collectors from the City General Services Office (CGSO) reported a blood-soaked rice sack leaking from the disposal area.

Upon inspection, they found a full-term infant with umbilical cord still intact, the City Public Information Office said.

In her report to City Social Welfare and Development Officer Liza Bulayungan, Hilario noted that the infant weighed an estimated 2.5 to 2.9 kilograms.

The visible signs of blood pooling and skin discoloration indicated that the child had been deceased for some time.

Baguio City Police Office and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office secured the site before the case was turned over to the police forensic experts for full post-mortem investigation.

This marks the fourth reported case of fetal abandonment in the city this year alone, raising concerns from local welfare officials.

Appeal for parents to ‘take heart’ as ‘life is precious’

In a joint statement, Hilario and Bulayungan called on parents that facing unplanned or difficult pregnancies need not end in abandonment and that they should respect the sanctity of life.

“We lament the sad fate of this unborn child and the others before. No child deserves this cruel and inhumane ending. We appeal to mothers and parents facing pregnancy dilemma: It does not have to be this way -- callously ending the life you created and just dumping their remains anywhere. Please take heart. Life is precious, children are always a blessing,” they stated.

The CSWDO reiterated that their office, along with other public and private agencies, offers support services for pregnant women in distress.

Those in need of assistance may contact the said office at (074) 444-6467, (074) 422-6056, or 0967-208-4777.