BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Support to Bahay Pag-asa (BPA) Project boosts efforts in ensuring that the needs of children in conflict with the law (CICLs) and children-at-risk (CAR) are met.
In a consultation dialogue between the members of the Cordillera Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (RJJWC) and BPA officials, BPA representatives from Baguio City, Benguet, Kalinga, Ifugao, and Abra presented their accomplishment reports.
Among the accomplishments presented include trainings for BPA staff and residents focusing on life skills like basic carpentry, hollow block making, welding, and sewing; livelihood skills like dishwashing liquid making, noodle making, bread and pastry, gardening, and broiler raising.
Under therapeutic interventions include purchase of sports equipment like table tennis, and badminton, musical instruments for videoke time, and spiritual upliftment of the residents.
Other accomplishments include purchase of supplies and materials that BPAs need but were not prioritized in their work and financial plan due to limited budget, such as children’s personal supplies, emergency and disaster preparedness kits, information technology/office equipment to support education and attendance to e-court hearings, furniture and fixtures.
Some BPAs also reported the conduct of minor repairs of the facilities.
Jazy May A. Panilas of the Department of Social Welfare and Development- Cordillera (DSWD-CAR) said the BPA project which started in 2022, is in response to the need for improved and specialized knowledge and skills in managing the behavior of children, conducting case management, and administering BPA operations.
Bread and pastry making is one of the livelihood skills training being provided to residents and staff of Bahay Pag-asa.
This national government-initiated project with funding from congressional initiative, is designed to assist local government units and non-government organizations who are operating BPA facilities. This will run until 2024.
BPA Baguio Center Chief Florecita P. Tul-an discusses the accomplishments of Bahay Pag-asa Baguio. (PIA Photo)
Florecita P. Tul-an, BPA Baguio Center chief, said the funding support of the JJWC to Bahay Pag-asa is a big help to the realization of the rehabilitation of CICLs who are temporarily housed at the facility.
For 2024, Panilas reported that the Support to Bahay Pag-asa Project has allocated P1.2 million for identified program, projects and activities that include the conduct of life skills trainings for BPA residents, livelihood skills training, augmentation on therapeutic services, provision of fund support for sports/musical/theater activities/psychological/psychiatric services to BPA resident CICL and CAR, and provision of personal supplies to BPA residents.
Glonica Joyce Favorito of the Department of Trade and Industry was also invited to discuss the DTI’s programs and services applicable to BPA residents as part of its livelihood assistance.
Meanwhile, Dave(not his real name) shared his experiences as a resident of BPA Baguio.
“Dito sa mundong ito ay walang perpektong tao, mas pinili ko ang pagbabago, at nagpapasalamat ako sa aking pamilya na laging sumusuporta sa akin at gumagabay. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa gobyerno na tumutulong sa atin lalong lalo na ang Bahay Pag-asa na siya ang tumulong sa akin para magbago at dito ko rin natutunan ang salita ng Panginoon at dito ko rin siya nakilala ng husto. Natuto din ako ng life skills, decision making, anger management. Kayong mga kabataan, pakinggan niyo na lang ang inyong mga magulang at huwag gumawa ng pagkakamali.”
[There is no perfect person in this world. I chose to change, and I am grateful to my family who always supports me and guides me. I am also thankful to the government especially the Bahay Pag-asa that helped me to change. Here, I also learned the word of God and I got to know him well. I learned life skills, decision making, and how to manage anger. To all the youth, listen to your parents and do not make mistakes.] (JDP/MAWC-PIA CAR)
