GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The city government has formally opened its newly-completed PHP10-million rehabilitation center for children in conflict with the law (CICL) and “minors at-risk”.
City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said Friday the city’s “Bahay Pag-asa” in Purok Cabuay, Barangay Sinawal is now fully operational, with the completion of its building and other amenities.
He said the local government has spent around PHP5.6 million for the development of the site and the construction of the main structures.
It was augmented by around PHP4.9 million in financial assistance from the national government, including a grant from the bottom-up budgeting or BUB program that was used for the installation of a water system, he said.
The mayor said the one-hectare “Bahay Pag-asa” has passed the standards set by the Department of Social Welfare and Development for social facilities.
A project briefer said the center features standard amenities like clean water system, recreational building and a basketball court.
It has a shared dining area while the main living quarters has separate bedrooms and bathrooms for girls and boys.
The facility was built in the middle of a farming area in Barangay Sinawal to “lower the exposure of children to harmful elements.”
The entire compound was secured by a perimeter fence to discourage occupants from venturing outside or escaping.
Rivera said he pushed for the construction of the “Bahay Pag-asa” as one of the priority projects of the city government.
“I am glad that we already have the facility. It can help us address issues that are related to our youth and children,” he said.
He said the operationalization of the “Bahay Pag-asa” will further boost the city government’s continuing efforts to promote the welfare and interests of children, especially by protecting them from abuses.
Arabeque Batilong, city social welfare and development officer, said at least 33 children are already housed at the facility.
She said 20 of them are CICLs while the 13 others are rescued children.
“Supposedly, it should only host CICLs but we decided to open it to the rescued children to give them a place to stay,” she said. (PNA)
