NEOPHYTE Davao City Councilor Avegail Dalodo-Ortiz of the Third Congressional District believes that “Bahay Pasilungan” and “Bahay Pag-asa” can be utilized as alternate homes of women and children who may be affected by a shooting war between government forces and the New People’s Army-Communist Party of the Philippines as a result of the termination of unilateral ceasefires declared by both parties.
During the weekly Pulong Pulong ni Pulong, Ortiz was asked about her opinion on the termination of the ceasefire as chairperson of the City Council’s women and children committee.
She said that the government cannot do much of about the situation of those to be affected by the hostilities.
However, affected women and children should evacuate their places, Ortiz said.
She said that the evacuees can stay at the Bahay Pasilungan and Bahay Pag-asa.
“We have these Bahay Pasilungan and Bahay Pag-asa but still the city needs to provide more evacuation centers,” she added.
The Bahay Pasilungan is a center for children and adults who want to learn. According to the Davao City’s website, the Bahay Pasilungan offers proper education for children and adults.
Children stay there for the weekdays to avoid the hassle of walking several kilometers from home to school.
However, Bahay Pasilungan is not a city-owned residential facility; it was established by a non-government organization.
Meanwhile, the bahay pag-asa is a temporary shelter for the Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL).
It was as the city’s response to the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act of 2006, it serves as a 24/7 facility for the CICL that engages them to several programs and services to enhance their social functioning. It serves children ages 13 to 17 years old.
Councilor Ortiz, however, failed to explain how the city government can go about using Bahay Pasilungan when it is privately-owned.
