Children in conflict find guidance, hope in QC

Instead of treating them as criminals, the Quezon City Molave Youth Home (MYH) looks upon youth offenders as troubled children who are victims of poverty and domestic discord, and as such need guidance to allow them to rejoin mainstream society and lead productive lives.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said the MYH facility, located inside the City Hall compound, is committed to developing and transforming its young wards from juvenile delinquents to productive members of the community.

"The city government regards the MYH as a social service institution rather than as a criminal detention facility. It views its youthful wards not as criminals, simply awaiting there due punishment, but as troubled children in need of guidance and affirmation," Belmonte said.

The plight of youth offenders in the Philippines has recently caught international attention when a TV documentary exposed their plight, paving the way for a campaign to address the problem of children in conflict with law.

Recent studies have revealed disturbing realties about thousands of youth offenders, who are in various detention facilities all over the country.

Except for those in Quezon City, Manila, Pasay and Cebu, most are in jail with hardened criminals, making them vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse.

As a result of the alternative approach taken by the Quezon City government, in coordination with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Department of Education and civic groups, juvenile delinquents are now going back home, pursuing their studies and completely turning their back to crime, drugs and violence.

Records at Quezon City’s Department of Social Services and Development, headed by Teresa Mariano, showed that out of 1,114 admitted to the facility in 2002-2004, only 26 have been readmitted for a new offense. This translates to a recidivist rate of only 2.3 percent compared to the national average of 20 percent.

The holistic approach in dealing with youth offenders is anchored on self worth and social responsibility, wherein both children and their parents are involved in the planning and implementation of activities.

The MYH was set up in 1973 when the City Council passed a resolution approving the purchase development of the 2,000 square-meter site for the facility under the supervision of the juvenile and domestic relations courts. Judge Leonor Luciano lobbied for the resolution.

When the juvenile court was merged with the regional trial court 10 years later, the facility was turned over to the city government.

Since then Molave has been the focus of social studies by various universities and just recently, the New York office of UNICEF chose Molave as part of their international research on youth offenders.

Among the success stories at Molave is the case of Mandy, who spent three years and five months at the facility. He was a minor when a case was filed against him. However, the case was decided when he was 18 years old and he was sentenced to seven to 14 years in prison.

The social worker in charge of Mandy’s case saw the transformation of the boy from a youth offender to a reformed man. A petition was sent to parole board, which eventually granted him clemency.

Shortly after his release, Mandy found a job as security guard, pursued his studies and now gainfully employed by a bank in Quezon City.

And like the molave wood, Mandy has acquired exceptional strength and has become resistant to corrosive social elements, making him an asset to his community.