By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Taking notice that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that he once led does not have enough facilities for the children in conflict with the law, House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo led four other lawmakers in filing a bill that seeks to establish a “House of Hope” in every province.

Tulfo noted that while several “Bahay Pag-asa” or House of Hope have been established nationwide, many remain overcrowded and fail to meet the standards set for the rehabilitation and reintegration of juvenile offenders.

“We have to address the problem immediately. We need a facility where juveniles can spend time in formal education or vocational training, values formation, household work, and sports activities as they serve their time, yet their loved ones can visit them during the weekends,” Cong Erwin said.

Filed on Tuesday (30 April 2024), House Bill No. 10276, or “An Act Establishing Additional Houses of Hope for Children in Conflict with the Law,” provides in addition to the currently existing House of Hope or “Bahay Pag-asa” as defined in Republic Act 10630 or the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act of 2006, that the DSWD, in coordination with the local government and the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), shall establish, operate and maintain one additional “Bahay Pag-asa” in each province and highly urbanized city within their respective jurisdiction.

“For years, since the passage of the juvenile justice system, we have simply overlooked the growing problems of our youngsters that conflict with the law, We do not have the facility or facilities to house these youths,” Cong Erwin further observed.

HB 10276 was filed by Tulfo and his colleagues from the ACT-CIS party-list Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, and Benguet Cong. Eric Yap and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo.

“By providing sufficient and properly equipped youth detention centers, we can create a conducive environment for the rehabilitation and reintegration of juvenile offenders into society,” the hard-hitting journalist-turned-House leader concluded.

(el Amigo/MNM)