In a roundtable discussion on RA 9344  organized by the Institute of  Government and Law Reform of the UP Law Center in collaboration with the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF), held recently, Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Alicia R. Bala, concurrent Chairperson of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC),  said that  the Council will prioritize for 2011 the establishment of “Bahay Pag-Asa” or transition homes to provide a safe place instead of jails for children in conflict with the law (CICL).

Undersecretary Bala said that the establishment of youth homes for CICL in every city and municipality, is mandated by Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.  These homes will serve as 24-hour child-caring institutions managed by local government units (LGUs) and licensed and/or accredited non-government organizations (NGOs) providing short-term residential care for children in conflict with the law who are awaiting court disposition of their cases or transfer to other agencies or jurisdiction.

“For 2010, the construction of the first Bahay Pag-Asa will be in Misamis Occidental which has been identified as priority,” Undersecretary Bala added.

The Council has allocated funds this year for the upgrading of existing facilities like Center for Restorative Activities, Development and Learning Experiences (CRADLE), and National Bilibid Prison (NBP).

Undersecretary Bala also stated that Bahay Pag-Asa shall be established in seven (7) cities, two (2) municipalities, and eight (8) provinces in 2011.  The cities are Naga, Cauayan, Urdaneta, Surigao, Lucena, Puerto Princesa, General Santos; and municipalities of Baybay and Bangued; while the provinces are Leyte, Camarines Sur, Isabela, Pangasinan, Bukidnon, Quezon, Palawan and Abra.

“Aside from logistical support for the construction of the transition homes, the JJWC shall also ensure that the facilities comply with international and national standards,” Undersecretary Bala emphasized.

Apart from the construction of the transition homes, Undersecretary Bala explained that implementation of comprehensive intervention and diversion programs at the local government level in partnership with NGOs will also be undertaken by the Council.  It has selected eight (8) provinces, namely: Davao, Misamis Oriental, Camarines Sur, Abra, Surigao del Sur, Quezon, Palawan and Benguet, and eight (8) cities, such as Cebu City, as well as Manila, Quezon,   Valenzuela, Caloocan, Mandaluyong, Malabon and Taguig in the National Capital Region, which will serve a pilot areas based on high incidence of CICL and commitment of support from concerned LGUs.

Other priorities of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council are:  documentation of positive results of the law and best practices in handling and managing CICL; installation of data-base and knowledge center that would capture the socio-economic profile of CICL, and causes of juvenile offending; strengthen institutional partnership with organizations and agencies directly or indirectly involved with CICL; conduct of information campaign;  provision of trainings to members of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children and Family Court judges; and undertake a follow-up study on Discernment of Filipino children aged 7 to 17, and the Study on Profile of sexual offenders at the New Bilibid Prison.

“We acknowledge that there are challenges and gaps that should be addressed immediately. As the inter-agency council mandated to guarantee and oversee its full implementation, we will mobilize, build stronger and lasting alliances and partnerships with organizations especially with LGUs, not only for this law to work but most importantly, for us to fulfill our commitment to children,” Undersecretary Bala emphasized. 

Meanwhile, from 2006-2009, some 7,426 children in conflict with the law have been released from jails. ### (DSWD-Social Marketing Service) August 27, 2010