The Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee-Davao (RJJWC-11) has urged local government units in the Davao Region that have yet to establish Bahay Pag-asa facilities for children in conflict with the law (CICL) to build one.

RJJWC-11 said the region still lacks facilities where minors between 15 and 18 years old while awaiting court decisions.

At present, only Davao Oriental and Davao Occidental remain without their own Bahay Pag-asa centers.

Under Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, every province and highly urbanized city are required to establish their own centers.

“Duha pa ka province ang walay Bahay Pag-asa. Under the law it is required. Gina-encourage nato gina-lobby nato for the intent pero may mga preparations na, plans to construct,” RJJWC-11 Secretariat Team Leader, Jerome Gumbao, said.

In Davao City, the Bahay Pag-asa has a capacity of 85 beds, but there have been times that the number of CICL exceeds.

“But sometimes way back 2024, 2025 may mga almost 120 clients but the city government supports the Bahay Pag-asa in extending the rooms wala pa naman pong problema sa budget for CICL po,” Davao City Children’s Village-Bahay Pagasa Center Manager, Jeefrey Sison, said.

NEARING FULL CAPACITY

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao (DSWD-11) reported that the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) is nearing full capacity.

RRCY houses CICL who have court orders for longer and more intensive rehabilitation.

Of the P14 million budget allocated for 2026, 52 percent has already been utilized even though the year is not yet halfway over.

“We are fast-tracking their legal documents to prepare them for possible reintegration to families and communities. of ever there is really a need for a additional budget we can propose based sa experience last year na grant naman siya,” RRCY-11 Center Head, Angel Pana, said.

RJJWC is also reportedly conducting a survey regarding the tools to be used in assessing the discernment of CICL, or their ability and process of deep thinking to understand a situation and distinguish right from wrong.

“We want to consult local social workers who administer on the assessment on the discernment kung kailangan ng palitan o redesign hopefully by September matapos ang survey namin,” Gumbao added.