City to build shelter for juvenile delinquents

The City Government is set to build a shelter to house children in conflict with law this year inside the Mother Theresa Foundation, Upper Puerto this city.

This after the Juvenile Justice Welfare Council (JJWC) allocated about P10 million to add to the city's P5 million fund for the 6-bed capacity two-storey building shelter for kids.

The establishment, called ‘Bahay Pag-asa' will be the temporary shelter to rehabilitate and transform child offenders. It is part of the city's dream to build an Oro Care Center Village to provide a child-friendly environment for kids in conflict with law.

Section 49 of Republic Act 9344 or an Act establishing a Comprehensive Juvenile Justice and Welfare System states that local government units shall set aside an amount to build youth detention homes as mandated by the Family Courts Act. Youth detention homes may also be established by private and nongovernment organizations licensed and accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in consultation with the JJWC.

Youth Detention Home refers to a 24-hour child-caring institution managed by accredited local government units and licensed and/or accredited nongovernment organizations 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.

According to Mike Fabello of the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD), the Bahay Pag-Asa project will sit within the 5-hectare area in Upper Puerto, along side the proposed home for elderlies, and mental hospital.

Children in conflict in law are usually turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).