BANGUED, Abra (PIA) –The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has accredited the Abra Bahay Pag-Asa for meeting the first level standard in implementing a center-based residential program and services for the youth.
Acting Governor Russell Bragas congratulated the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Myrna Bersalona for successfully complying with the requirements of the first level standards during the accreditation process.
“A few months back, we informed everyone that this is one of our objectives. We complied with the requirements so we got this accreditation this first semester. Kaasi ni Apo, babaen ti gaget ti PSWDO nga idadauloan ni Maam Myrna ken dagiti staff, I congratulate you all,” Bragas said.
Bersalona explained that the PSWDO had to comply with the key areas for the accreditation of the Bahay Pag-Asa.
“These work areas include administration and organization, program management, case management, helping interventions and physical structure and safety. Under these areas, we achieve 290 actual score,” she said.
She recognized the active involvement of partner-agencies and stakeholders particularly the multi-disciplinary team in providing extensive juvenile intervention support. These include the medical providers, lawyers, Barangay Council for the Protection of Children, municipal SWD officers, psychologists, psychiatrists, law enforcers, and the Department of Education.
Bersalona emphasized the importance of having adequate personnel in manning the Bahay Pag-Asa which was accomplished through the efforts of the acting governor.
The province’s Bahay Pagasa, located in Calaba, Bangued, caters to short-term residential care for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) or those who are accused of having committed violations of the Philippine law and are awaiting court disposition.
Currently, there are seven CICLs housed and supported at the Abra Bahay Pag-Asa. (JDP/CAGT-PIA CAR, Abra)
