CITY government of Cagayan de Oro and the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee (RJJWC)-10 formally opened today the newly-completed P9-million rehabilitation center for children in conflict with the law (CICL) and “minors at-risk”.
The blessing of the city’s new Bahay Pag-asa, a shelter to rehabilitate and transform child offenders, was located at Barangay Maitum, Upper Puerto, is now fully operational, with the completion of its building and other amenities.
“The pandemic we are experiencing now only tests the consistency of the LGU’s advocacy to nurture these people,” said city’s office of community affairs Oliver Egypto.
Egypto said this will even shelter children in conflict with the law, abused women, elderly, and the less privileged so they can soon reintegrate to the community and become productive citizens of the city.
The 60-bed capacity two-storey building shelter for kids stands on the 10-hectare which was donated by the Cagayan Capitol College in 1990.
RJJWC-10 head Ronnie Barros said the national government allocated P5 million for the said project and the city has augmented P4 million to complete the construction of the building.
“Bisan pa nakasala sa balaod kinahanglan gihapon protektahan ang ilang katungod,” said Barros, as he cited the significance of establishing the Bahay Pag-asa.
He also added that the city in coordination with Xavier University is tasked to create the Alternative Learning System (ALS) module for Bahay Pag-asa for the entire country.
Meanwhile, city councilor Suzette Daba said the establishment of Bahay Pag-asa and Oro Care Village has surpassed her expectations since they only sought support for Mother Theresa Foundation.
“Murag bulak nga nag-sprout ang mga building. Ing-ani kapaspas ang pagtukod sa mga buildings,” Daba said as she noted how the city government provides continuous service to help the community.
Bahay Pag-asa forms part of the city’s Oro Care Village, which will house a COVID-19 isolation facility, Boystown, mental hospital for the abandoned and neglected, administrative building, family kiosks for visiting families, livelihood technical school, automotive skills training center, chapel, infirmary, and covered court. (Recthie Tolinero/PIA10)
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