“Here in Bahay Pag-Asa Davao del Norte, we do not view children in conflict with the law as individuals who committed crimes but as victims of circumstances,” said Ms. Drening A. Tabil, Center Head.
The Bahay Pag-Asa (BPA) Davao del Norte is a 24-hour child-caring institution established, funded, and managed by the provincial local government unit, providing short-term residential care for children in conflict with the law (CICL) who are above 15 but below 18 years of age who are awaiting court disposition of their cases or transfer to other agencies or jurisdiction. It started its operation on September 1, 2015, and at present, they are a Level 2 accredited facility that caters to a maximum of 24 male CICL.
BPA Davao del Norte is manned by a team composed of 16 staff that is headed by Ms. Tabil as Center Head, who oversees the overall management of the facility. Other members are the case managers, psychometrician, nurse and nursing attendant, nurse and supervising houseparent, house parents, spiritual and livelihood coordinator, clerk, utility worker, kitchen manager, and marketer.
“Ang Bahay Pag-Asa ay ginawa para matulungan ang mga kabataang naligaw ng landas. Layon namin na mabigyan sila ng bagong pag-asa, na maramdaman nila na may nagmamahal at handang tumulong sa kanila,” said Ms. Vanessa S. Fu, Social Worker.
Their team helps CICL start anew by providing access to justice, scheduled communication with their relatives and/or loved ones, opportunities to participate in all center activities, as well as joining exposure trips, attending webinars, expressing their feelings, and engaging in policy-making workshops. They also provide training and education through Alternative Learning System and Distant Learning Program, survival skills, and protection to the children.
The center also provides social services, psychological services, health services (medical and dental), dietary services, homelife services, character-building programs and life skills, sports, socio-cultural and recreational services, educational services, spiritual/religious services, and productivity skills development.
They also partner with the local government, national agencies, organizations, and private individuals to provide education services, spiritual enlightenment, ecumenical services, support system, and skills training.
During the pandemic, BPA Davao del Norte has kept up its protocols to secure the welfare of its residents and employees through postponing face to face activities, following health protocols, disinfecting regularly, implementing 14-day quarantine for newly admitted residents, and placing of residents with signs and symptoms of COVID-19 in the infirmary for observation.
THE GIFT OF SECOND CHANCE
Through the guidance and the programs and services provided by the BPA, the CICL under their care now have big dreams and limitless aspirations.
“Malayo ang ako noon sa ako ngayon. Noon, wala akong respeto, walang pinag-aralan, at walang pangarap sa buhay pero ngayon sa tulong at gabay ng center ay nakatapos na ko ng senior high school at nangangarap akong makapasok sa military,” said Lemuel, not his real name, 20 years old, one of the residents of the center.
Another resident, Mark, not his real name, 19 years old, shared the most important lesson he learned in BPA, “natutunan ko paano baguhin ang sarili ko, kung paano itama yung mga mali kong nagawa noon. Dahil sa BPA mas lumalim ang kaalaaman at kasanayan ko.”
Through the skills training of the center, Mark is now skilled in electrical, NC II, and table skirting.
“Para sa mga kapwa ko CICL, hindi pa huli ang lahat para magbago dahil may pag-asa pa sa buhay,” Mark added.
The BPA Davao del Norte believes that their main contribution to the lives of the CICL is to aid them through the process of rehabilitation and reformation through the programs and services given by the multidisciplinary team. They do this through efficient and effective rehabilitation by providing the four main pillars of the right of the child – the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.
“The BPA’s services do not just stop at inculcating good values and doing what is right, but also includes preparing them for their eventual reintegration to their families and communities, while the LGU as the support system, will prepare the families and communities,” said Ms. Tabil.
As of November 2021, there are 23 residents in the custody of BPA, and have reintegrated 12 residents with their families and communities.
