A task force composed of officials of the justice, social welfare, interior and local government departments as well as the Council for the Welfare of the Children reached an agreement to ensure the speedy transfer of juvenile offenders, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.
The rehabilitation centers will be under the supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development or in department-accredited non-government facilities. The youth offenders will be attended to by social workers.
"Our overcrowded jails especially at the municipal and city levels are a perennial problem that deserve a long-term solution. Right now, we are focused on prison reforms that would include expanded rehabilitation programs for youth offenders and children in conflict with the law," Ermita said.
The transfer will be carried out in phases because proper court procedures have to be followed.
Ermita said aside from the transfer, the DSWD has also started accrediting foster families who could watch over the children that may be released on recognizance.
About 3,700 children are detained in 1,500 jails and detention facilities nationwide, according to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
However, a recent report by US broadcaster Cable News Network said up to 20,000 Filipino children are behind bars.
Senate Majority Floor Leader Francis Pangilinan earlier announced that a bill addressing the plight of juvenile offenders has been approved at the committee level and would soon be sent to the Senate floor for debate.
The Juvenile Justice Bill, certified as urgent by President Arroyo, requires local governments to build separate detention cells for juvenile offenders.
"We will continue to work with local government and the legislative and judicial branches of government to promote prison reforms. The task force will be coordinating closely with the judiciary on the gradual transfer of these children to the custody of DSWD," Ermita said.
He noted that the nation’s prison population continues to rise but the number of jails and detention facilities remains the same.
Philippine law says offenders below the age of 18 should be turned over to the DSWD or kept in the custody of their parents.
However, a lack of funds has sometimes prevented the DSWD and the Department of Justice from immediately attending to all children who were arrested, resulting in their being jailed alongside adult criminals. — Aurea Calica, AFP