Valenzuela City is committed to protecting, ensuring, and promoting the rights of its residents, including the most vulnerable communities. Its City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) aims to support the city’s marginalized population to become self-reliant and active members of society. They provide social protection and promote the rights and welfare of marginalized groups. They are tasked to formulate and develop plans and strategies, and implement and monitor social welfare programs, activities, projects, and services. They are also in charge of ensuring that existing facilities can cater to and respond to the needs of their residents.

Valenzuela Care Homes
The city government built three residential care facilities for Valenzuelanos in need of immediate care and support. These temporary shelters show the city government’s dedication to providing a home-like environment to abused, abandoned, and neglected individuals and to promoting social protection and justice. It primarily houses those found and rescued in public spaces such as parks and streets, homeless families, street children, and those identified by the CSWDO as victims of other forms of abuse.

Bahay Kalinga
Inaugurated in February 2012, Bahay Kalinga is a temporary shelter dedicated to street wanderers, foundling children, and those recovering from any form of abuse, as determined by the city social workers. Former Mayor Win Gatchalian regarded the facility as “the symbol of the City Government’s commitment to social justice and protection. With a better home, the Bahay Kalinga clients shall be able to pursue a better road to recovery to regain their self-worth and confidence.”

Bahay Kanlungan
The creation of Bahay Kanlungan was mandated by City Ordinance No. 863, Series of 2021. The Ordinance likewise seeks to provide the Valenzuelano elderly and PWDs with equitable access to medical and physical home care through personalized and intelligent evidence-based psychosocial and spiritual modalities.

Bahay Pag-asa
Valenzuela City’s Bahay Pag-asa is a specialized facility for children in conflict with the law (CICL). Since its establishment in May 2013, this temporary home has been dedicated to helping CICLs aged 12 to 18 reintegrate into society successfully. With 32 beds, Bahay Pag-asa provides the necessary support and guidance.

It is an accredited Level 2 facility recognized by the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) Standards Bureau, and boasts a multidisciplinary team of accredited social workers who handle court-related cases and psychometricians who are trained with life skills training.

Even prior to the pandemic, they collaborated with the Department of Education-Valenzuela and forged agreements for modular programs with neighboring schools. These programs, in line with the Alternative Learning System (ALS), allow residents to pursue education within Bahay Pag-asa as ALS trainers come to the facility. After finishing the program and passing the revalida exam, residents can progress to the next level. They have consistently attained a perfect 100% passing rate for ALS revalida exams for two consecutive years.

Balai Banyuhay
Balai Banyuhay is a unique care facility in the city, unlike other homes catering to the youth and the elderly. It serves as the Drug Rehabilitation and Treatment Center, symbolizing a fresh start in life. Situated in Barangay Punturin, Balai Banyuhay adheres to the service capability standards established by the Department of Health (DOH) for drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers.

The center is well-equipped with various facilities, including a full-sized basketball court, an outpatient recovery clinic, an office for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), a learning center, a section for social workers, a nurses’ station, and a clinical laboratory section. Balai Banyuhay offers a comprehensive intervention program to ensure that all residents receive the highest level of care and respect.

Valenzuela City Child Protection Center
The Valenzuela City Child Protection Center (CPC) is a comprehensive support center for vulnerable children, children in conflict with the law, and parents seeking guidance on disciplining their kids. CPC provides case management to evaluate the child’s requirements and devise interventions through a holistic approach. They are composed of a multi-disciplinary team that includes doctors, social workers, women’s and children’s desk investigators, and psychometricians. Their services include protective custody, home visits, healing programs, legal assistance, and life skills training, to name a few. CPC proudly celebrated Valenzuela City’s recognition as the Most Valuable Partner 2022 by the Child Protection Foundation Network, Inc. and as the First Pathfinding City in the World to End Violence against Children.

Gender and Development
Valenzuela’s commitment to human development is not only limited to supporting the vulnerable, young, and elderly, but through the years, the city government has implemented programs for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and Gender and Development (GAD) in compliance with the Magna Carta of Women. In GAD, the city government has projects for solo parents, victims of violence against women and children, and elderly women. They also hold gender sensitivity training commemorating National Women’s Month every March.