MindanaoToday.com | Restoring young lives: Inside Lanao del Norte, Iligan’s reformatory centers
By: Jasper Marie O. Rucat
A reformatory center with a total bed capacity of 40, Bahay Pag-asa (House of Hope) in Lanao del Norte houses male boys aged 12 to 17 who are currently in conflict with the law and with court order; meanwhile, a similar facility in Iligan can accommodate up to 30 children.
“The goal of this facility is to rehabilitate and restore children who are in conflict with the law so that they may find strength to be good citizens in the province,” said Annabelle Solatorio Mendez, Lanao del Norte provincial social welfare development officer.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10, in collaboration with the members of the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee (RJJWC)-10, conducted a monitoring visit and inspected two centers, one located in Bahay Pag-asa in Lanao del Norte and the other in Iligan. Further, the team checked the facilities based on the physical structure, safety, health provision, amenities, and other crucial services of the center in accordance with standards set by DSWD.
Bahay Pag-asa in Lanao del Norte, a two-story building with amenities like bedrooms, beds, bathrooms, a study area, a kitchen, and even a play area, ensures comfort while processing cases for these children.
The center opened in March 2023 with three social workers, three house parents, three guards, and four police personnel. Currently, it houses 17 children in conflict with the law, coming from different municipalities in the province. Cases include murder, carnapping, rape, and drug-related.
“Diri ang mga bata nahatagan nato og spiritual enhancement services, medical, dental, ilang education (Here we have provided the children with spiritual enhancement services, medical, dental, and their education),” said Mendez, adding that doctors, nurses, and dentists really go to the facility.
Through its PSWDO, the province has partnered with the Department of Education for alternative learning for kids in the center, TESDA for skills training, and the provincial hospital and health office for medical and dental services.
Meanwhile, in a focused group discussion with the children, they admitted that they liked the center because they are able to eat well, they are able to have activities such as cooking and art, and they also have playtime. Their families can also visit them.
They also shared their dreams of being a police officer, seaman, businessman, farmer, or soldier someday.
When it comes to the structure of the Bahay Pag-asa building in Iligan, Evelyn S. Madrio, the Iligan city social welfare development officer, shared that although they couldn’t compete based on the structure because it’s only one-story, an old building, and quite small, they put more effort into soft skills like treating the children well and helping them understand their situations.
“Amo sila ipasabot nga inyong pag-stay diri mga benefits is to teach them how to reform, nga ma-transform ang ilang kinabuhi, among gipasabot nga dili mo sa tanan panahon minor mo, ayaw ninyo paabota nga moabot mo sa legal nga age nga mao ra gihapon inyong behavior, ang mga pagmahay maulahi ra ba gyud,” Madrio said.
(We explain to them that if they stay here, the benefits are to teach them how to reform and transform their lives. We emphasize that they are not always minors; do not wait until you reach the legal age and still have the same behavior because regrets will come later.)
One child in the center who has a rape case shared that being in the Bahay Pag-asa gave him a sense of hope that he can change and that it is not the end. “Naa pa ko chance magbag-o, dili ulahi ang tanan (I have a chance to change my life; it is not too late yet),” he said.
Furthermore, they all assured the monitoring team that they had received good treatment and could eat three times a day.
Currently, the Bahay Pag-asa in Iligan City houses seven minors with a court order. Madrio explained that their request for a new building is in the works with the local government, but she is hopeful and full of positivity because they are in good coordination with the LGU and its departments.
Republic Act 9344, as amended by Republic Act 10630, mandates the establishment and operation of Bahay Pag-asa in every province and highly urbanized city. Meanwhile, rule 99.a of the law’s Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations states that the DSWD shall develop standards for the establishment and operation of Bahay Pag-asa.
According to DSWD-10, the region will undergo more monitoring activities this year. (JMOR/PIA-10)
###