Bahay Pag-asa: A look inside a center housing children in conflict with the law

Amid the clamor on the issue of lowering the age of criminal liability in the country, GMA News reporter Sandra Aguinaldo visited the Bahay Pag-asa in Mandaluyong where some children in conflict with the law are being sheltered.

As reported on 24 Oras, three security guards watch over the establishment, which houses 14 minors facing criminal cases related to illegal drugs, murder, and theft.

Twelve house parents take turns spending time with the kids and two social workers are also guiding them.

Relatives of the minors under Bahay Pag-asa's custody may visit every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"Parang bahay lang ito... Hindi namin sila tinatratong nakakulong at nakagawa ng krimen," said Bahay Pag-asa Mandaluyong center head Arlene Gampal.

As part of imbibing discipline, the minors follow a daily schedule which includes educational activities.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and other groups also provide livelihood training to equip the youth for reintegration to the community.

Time for leisure activities such as watching TV and playing basketball is also part of their day.

In the report, it has been noticed that the intensive intervention and support activities for minors who have committed grave crimes were only being conducted in a small corner of a room.

Gampal said that a bigger facility is being constructed to help provide better support services to children in conflict with the law.

She also opposes lowering the age of criminal liability to nine years old and suggested that more interventions for the youth should instead be implemented.

"Sa tingin ko po kailangan dagdagan ang mga programa. Sa barangay level kailangan mag-initiate ng mga program for children," she said. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News