Ni NOEL ABUEL
Isinusulong ng ilang kongresista na magtatag ng pasilidad sa lahat ng probinsya ng bansa para sa mga minor offenders o children in conflict with the law.
Sa House Bill No. 10276 o “An Act Establishing Additional Houses of Hope for Children in Conflict with the Law,” na inihain ni House Deputy Majority Leader at ACT-CIS party list Rep. Erwin Tulfo at ng apat pang mambabatas na naglalayong magtatag ng pasilidad sa kada probinsya ng bansa.
Kabilang din sa naghain ng panukala sina ACT-CIS party list Reps. Edvic Yap at Jocelyn Tulfo; Benguet Cong. Eric Yap at Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo.
“For years, since the passage of the juvenile justice system, we have simply overlooked the growing problems of our youngsters that are in conflict with the law. We do not have the facility or facilities to house these youths,” ayon kay Tulfo.
Ayon kay Tulfo, na dating kalihim ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), walang sapat na pasilidad ang naturang ahensya para sa mga menor de edad na lumalabag sa batas.
“What they have are shelters for victims of abuse. Because we do not have a place for young offenders, they are often confined in one complex with their victims, unfortunately,” ani Tulfo.
“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,” giit pa ng mambabatas.
Nalasaad pa sa panukalang batas na bagama’t ilang Bahay Pag-asa ang naitayo na sa buong bansa, kulang na kulang pa rin ang mga pasilidad o kanlungan ng mga batang nagkasala sa batas.
“It is imperative to establish additional Bahay Pag-asa to ensure that the best interests of children in conflict with the law are met,” ayon pa sa kongresista.
“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,” giit pa nito.
Sa ilalim ng panukalang batas, bukod sa mga kasalukuyang House of Hope, o ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’ na tinukoy sa Republic Act 10630 o ang Juvenile Justice Welfare Act of 2006, ang DSWD, sa pakikipagtulungan ng lokal na pamahalaan at Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), ay dapat magtatag, magpatakbo, at mangasiwa ng isang karagdagang ‘Bahay Pag-asa’ sa bawat probinsya at highly urbanized city sa kanilang nasasakupan.
Ang mga pasilidad ay pamamahalaan, papatakbuhin at pangangasiwaan ng DSWD at ng nakakasakop na LGUs.
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