CEBU, Philippines - As a way of inspiring Children in Conflict with the Law, the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth of the Department of Social Welfare and Development has organized a homecoming activity at the facility in Barangay Candabong, Argao last Friday.
RRCY is a residential facility for CICL under the care of the DSWD-7.
Five alumni attended the homecoming, inspiring more than 70 CICLs who are now in the custody of the center. Among the attendees was once charged with murder and is now a permanent employee of a private company.
Another was previously charged with robbery and is now working in Saudi Arabia. While a former resident of the center who was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in frustrated homicide is now helping the government in uplifting the lives of the poor.
The homecoming carries the theme “RRCY: Sentro sa Pag-amoma ug Pagsabot, Puy-anan sa Paglaom ug Hustong Paggiya Padung sa Positibong Pagbag-o sa Kaugalingon.”
The event was also served as recognition ceremony of the positive changes of children who were rehabilitated in the center. Minor sentences can be suspended in exchanged for their stay and rehabilitation at the RRCY where they are disciplined and taught how to be responsible members of the society.
The objective of the RRCY is to provide protection and substitute parental care to CICL.
The center will also enhance their coping capabilities and build trust to others, provide opportunities to acquire social and occupational skills to improve self-image, as well as facilitate disposition of case in court and integration with the family and community.
Sugar Rey Bacalso, 30, of Bohol and alumnus of the center, said staying in the facility for few years made him responsible and gained new friends.
Bacalso was 16-year-old when hit an old woman in Bohol while driving a motorcycle on the highway.
He was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in frustrated homicide but he was referred to the RRCY with the help of the DSWD.
“Dako siya ug natabang kay daghan ko ug nakaila unya nakat-unan nako nga ang binuang ibilin gyud kung anaa na sa gawas aron walay makontra,” Bacalso said in a phone interview.
Bacalso is now an employee of the DSWD in Bohol. He works for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. (FREEMAN)