Lawmaker wants detention home for youth offenders

MANILA, Philippines - A lawmaker has filed a bill seeking to establish a detention home for youth offenders in the provinces.                  

In filing House Bill 1495, Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento said youth offenders must be separated from “hardcore offenders” and given access to the services of social workers while maintaining contact with their parents.

“In rehabilitating the kids, the visitation right of the parents is important part of the program. The country is composed of so many islands, it would be very hard for parents to visit their children and be a part of their therapy,” he said.            

He said many social workers are forced to release the offenders due to lack of facilities to hold them in.          

The bill proposes that the detention home for youth offenders be managed and funded by the provincial government.

Pangasinan Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil said Republic Act 9344, or The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, should be amended.  

“It is my strong belief that children in conflict with law should be treated with utmost care by trained police and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) personnel in cooperation with non-government organizations (NGOs) specialized in such intervention,” said Bataoil, a former police director.

The DSWD has 14 Regional Rehabilitation Centers for the Youth (RRCY) and seven rehabilitation homes called Bahay Pagasa which were based in the provinces.