The 21st Davao City Council on Tuesday approved on third and final reading an ordinance establishing the Bahay Pag-asa for Girls program, which will provide temporary shelter and rehabilitation services for female Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) and Children at Risk (CAR).
The main purpose of the ordinance is the establishment of the program and the temporary shelter, not only for girls who are classified as Children in Conflict with Law (CICL), but also those considered Children at Risk.
Based on the ordinance, the programs and services for beneficiaries are psychological care, self-help activities, health and nutrition services, group supervised interaction, socio-cultural and recreational activities, spiritual and recreational activities, spiritual and moral welfare, values education, family preservation and reunification, case management, psychological evaluation, occupational therapy and educational assistance.
CSWDO Head for Residential Care Facilities Juenalyn Pablo told Madayaw Davao on Tuesday that the approval of the ordinance is a welcome development.
“Happy gyud mi kay pinakahinahanglan ang city ordinance, para ma move nata sa next stage (We are truly happy because the city ordinance is the most important requirement, and with it, we can now move on to the next stage),” she said.
She said that going forward, the CSWDO – in partnership with concerned offices – aims to start the construction of the building to be located on a government property at Biao Escuela.
Currently, the CSWDO is only able to accommodate female CICLs in its residential care facility but not the CAR that also need services from CSWDO.
She said that hopefully this year they can start the construction. CIO