BATANGAS CITY – Seventeen children in conflict with the law (CICL), who are temporary housemates of the province’s Bahay Pag-asa (House of Hope), have been given their medical and dental services in the sports complex in Barangay Bolbok in this city.
Batangas public information office chief Jenelyn A. Aguilera disclosed over the weekend that the minors, mostly males from 15 to 18 years old, were provided medical and dental services through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
She said that the medical/dental and other health services are conducted either during the first or second week every month where the housemates are visited by the medical doctor, dentist and pharmacist for their prescribed medicines.
She said that the Bahay Pag-Asa houses the CICL, who are either facing cases in court or have pending cases, and through a court order, are recommended to stay at the foster home while their cases are being heard.
Aguilera said that the foster facility was established by the provincial government through the initiative of Governor Hermilando Mandanas to serve as the reformatory, or rehabilitation center, for juvenile delinquents.
Grena Perez, center head of Bahay Pag-Asa, in an interview Monday said that the minor-housemates are also given educational and learning activities through the Alternative Learning System every Monday.
Perez said that the series of activities include character building; homelife services; gardening and agro-farming as income-generating activities for the housemates.
She said that the foster home also conducts sessions with the housemates. A social worker and psychologist engage them in group sessions, counseling, interviews, and psychology testing.
“Walang imposible sa pagbabago ng mga anak natin kung sila man ay naligaw ng landas (it’s not impossible for our children to change despite their offenses and taking the wrong path),” Perez said.
Other activities include skills and handicraft training; recreational activities; prayer sessions; housekeeping; sports and socio-cultural activities; musical therapy; and journal writing aimed at ensuring behavioral change and physical fitness for the teenage offenders.
She also appealed to parents to give their children attention and guidance coupled with love, care and support.
She also advised parents to regularly communicate with their children so they would find out early on if they are secretive about their problems. This would ensure that the necessary intervention could be undertaken to help them. (Saul Pa-a/PNA)
