by: Rodrigo S. Victoria
NAVAL, Biliran – The province of Biliran inaugurated on Tuesday ( January 15), a residential treatment facility building for children in conflict with law (CICL) .
The building dubbed as Bahay Pag-asa located in Barangay Larrazabal in Naval, Biliran will serve as treatment facility for children and youth in the province who are disadvantaged, at risk and with deep-seated behavioral problems.
It will also house children and youth in the province who are in need of protection, care, training and rehabilitation and for them to be transformed into productive members of society.
The establishment of Bahay-Pag-asa in Biliran province was realized through the convergence efforts of the local government units in the province through their respective Inter-local Responsible Youth and Family Council with the putting up of one percent of the 20 percent of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of LGUs for its establishment and operational fund; donation of one hectare lot from the provincial government of Biliran and financial support from Senator Francis Pangilinan.
Virginia Cadano of the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 8 informed in her message in the program held during the inauguration that the Bahay Pag-asa in Biliran province will be the first local government unit operated residential treatment facility for CICL in Eastern Visayas region.
The regional office of DSWD in Region 8 maintains and operates a Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) in Tanuan, Leyte that accommodates CICL endorsed from the different LGUs in Eastern Visayas.
Meanwhile, Biliran Governor Gerardo J. Espina called on all the stakeholders of the project to extend their unwavering support and cooperation to sustain operations of the Bahay-Pag-asa.
He stressed the value of helping one another for the benefit and total transformation of CICL in Biliran province into becoming productive members in the society. (PIA-Biliran)