DSWD pushing for establishment of more 'Bahay Pag-asa'

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=888537
• Wednesday, May 25, 2016

(PNA), FFC/LVM/JOHANNE MARGARETTE R. MACOB/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, May 25 (PNA) -- In line with the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the enactment of Republic Act (RA) 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee (RJJWC) is pushing for the putting up of more "Bahay Pag-asa" or house of hopes in the country, particularly in Region 1.

A "Bahay Pag-asa" is a 24-hour child-caring institution that offers short term residential care for children in conflict with the law (CICL) who are 1) above 15, but less than 18 years of age, and awaiting court disposition; 2) above 12 to 15 years of age who committed serious crimes with commitment order issued by the court; 3) above 12 to 15 years of age who are repeat offenders; and 4) above 12 to below 18 years of age who are considered to be neglected, abandoned, or abused.

According to social worker Jocelyn Mariano of DSWD Region 1, "Bahay Pag-asa" is provided for in RA 9344, as amended by RA 10630, which seeks to separate the children from the regular offenders and provide them with temporary home where they can be rehabilitated.

“Ibig sabihin, walang bata sa kulungan,(It means, no child is in prison),” said Mariano during the media forum on Tuesday at the Philippine Information Agency-Pangasinan office in Dagupan City.

She said that construction of houses of hopes in the country has already started last year, with priority provinces and cities being determined by the expressed intent of the respective local government unit (LGUs).

She disclosed that the national government has allotted PHP400 million for the project but LGUs can also fund the establishment of their "Bahay Pag-asa."

According to the DSWD, as of June 2015, there are 19 “Bahay Pag-asa” located in 18 LGUs in nine regions of the country. Of these, 13 are operational, four have been completed but not yet operational, while two have ceased operations.

Under the law, the “Bahay Pag-asa” is managed by a multi-disciplinary team composed of a social worker, a psychologist/mental health professional, a medical doctor, an educational guidance counselor, and a member of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC). The said staff will work on the individualized intervention plan with the child and the child’s family.

Mariano added that once a CICL has been successful in responding to the interventions given to him/her in the rehabilitation program, he or she can be brought back to the community.

In Region 1, the data from the Philippine National Police Region 1, disclosed that top five offenses of CICL from Jan. to Dec. 2015 were rape (125 cases), theft (69), violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (66), physical injury (59), and robbery (56).

This year, from January to March, the police recorded the same trend: rape (27), theft (17), robbery (13), physical injuries/intentional mutilation (11), violation of RA 9165 (8).

On the other hand, Atty. Mamilo Royulada, the Dagupan District Public Attorney, said once CICL completes his/her intervention program, his/her case will be dismissed and he/she will have no criminal record.

Further, Royulada expressed support to the establishment of "Bahay Pag-asa" as he noted that in Dagupan City alone, the problem with CICL who are girls is that they have to be committed in Bulacan since no center is available yet in La Union or nearby areas.

He added that "Bahay Pag-asa" supports their advocacy for “restorative justice."

He said RA 9344 provides that children 15 years of age and under are exempted from criminal liability and those above 15 (plus one day) and below 18 years of age are exempt unless they act with discernment -which is defined as the mental capacity to understand the difference between right and wrong and its consequences.