Senate mulls DSWD budget to fund ‘Bahay Pag-asa’

Children who do not pose a risk to the community may be allowed to attend schools outside the “Bahay Pag-asa”. They could be released to their parents, foster parents or guardians only on order by the court and after a comprehensive study by the local DSWD officer. (File Photo: ann_jutatip/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)

MANILA — A measure has been introduced at the Senate proposing to put the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in charge of the construction, funding, and operations of “Bahay Pag-asa”, or the rehabilitation facilities for children in conflict with the law.

This was contained in the 13-page Committee Report 622, which recommended the lowering of minimum age of criminal liability (MACR) from 15 years to 12 years old.

The proposal transfers the responsibility of the local government units to fund and manage these facilities to the social welfare department.

“The allocations necessary for building, funding, and operating the ‘Bahay Pag-asa’ shall be included in the budget of the DSWD in the annual General Appropriations Act,” the bill read.

The bill requires every “Bahay Pag-asa” to contain such facilities as gyms, libraries and vocational-technical training shops.

There shall also be programs for alternative learning geared towards values formation, cultural awareness, reading, and skills development.

Children who do not pose a risk to the community may be allowed to attend schools outside the “Bahay Pag-asa”. They could be released to their parents, foster parents or guardians only on order by the court and after a comprehensive study by the local DSWD officer.

Currently, there is zero allocation under the proposed 2019 national budget for the construction of “Bahay Pag-asa” centers.

Committee Report 622, which contained Senate Bill No. 2198 or “An Act Strengthening the Youth Social Welfare Programs and Extending the Scope of Reformation and Rehabilitation of Children in Conflict with the Law,” was submitted for plenary considerations last January 30.

Committee chair Senator Richard Gordon is expected to present the committee report to the Senate plenary on Monday. At least 11 senators have already signed the report, with some of them expressing readiness to interpellate or introduce amendments.

It seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9344, or the “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006”, which sets the MACR at 15 years old.