Children who come into contact with the law in the province will soon have a temporary home that would restore their values and social functioning.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Arlene Semblante revealed the construction of the Bahay Pag-asa in New Corella town is set to start this June to provide short-term residential and rehabilitation care to the juvenile delinquents 15 years old and below.
She said Governor Rodolfo del Rosario has pushed for the establishment of the center since it is in line with the governor’s P.E.O.P.L.E. agenda, apart from being mandated by Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.
“The Bahay Pag-asa shall offer a safer place for children in conflict with the law (CICL) than jails,” she said at the recent quarterly meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council.
Semblante is confident that the establishment of the facility will address the rising number of young offenders who figured in various crimes around the province.
P/SSupt. Edgardo Wycoco, Provincial Director of Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office bared that from April 2012 to June 8, 2012 alone his office has recorded a total of 23 crime incidents committed by minors.
“Dumarami ang krimen na involved ang mga bata dahil hindi natin sila makasuhan at wala din silang mapaglalagyan,” he said.
He hopes the temporary shelter will help significantly reduce, if not eliminate the number of crimes perpetrated by the minors.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development provided P2.5 million for the construction of the center, while the provincial government in turn allotted two hectares for the location of the center within the vicinity of the Luntiang Paraiso Regional Rehabilitation Center.
The province shall also allocate funds for the annual operational costs of the facility, to include the budget for personnel services and maintenance of the facility, among other expenses.
