PATIKUL, SULU โ The first Bahay Pag-Asa in the entire Bangsamoro Region was turned over by the Office of the Member of Parliament, Atty. Raissa H. Jajurie, and the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) to the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) earlier today, November 20, 2023, in Patikul, Sulu.
MSSD shall now operate the Bahay Pag-Asa, a 24-hour child-caring institution providing short-term residential care for children in conflict with the law who are above 15 but below 18 years of age and who are awaiting court disposition of their cases or transfer to other agencies or jurisdiction.
The construction of the Bahay Pag-Asa is supported under the Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) of MP Atty. Raissa Jajurie in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works (MPW).
MSSD also delivered a multi-purpose passenger vehicle that shall be utilized for the operations of the Bahay Pag-Asa.
MSSD shall continue to train LGUs and other duty bearers on integrated care management protocols, diversion process, discernment, and intervention programs in handling CICL and children at risk (CAR) cases.
Present during the turn-over were key representatives from MSSD and its partner agencies, including Ms. Nur-Ainee Tan Lim, Deputy Minister of MSSD, Engr. Ajan Ajijul of the MPW Suluโs 1st District Engineering Office, Mr. Acmad Macarimbang, Chief of Staff of Parliament Office of Atty. Raissa H. Jajurie, and Erwin Tan, Provincial Administrator of Sulu Provincial Government.
Arbaine Guiabar, MSSDโs Child and Youth Welfare Program (CYWP) focal person underscored the significance of the Bahay Pag-Asa in providing a safe environment for the CICL, enabling their reintegration into their families and communities as productive members of society.
In her message, MP Atty. Raissa Jajurie, concurrent Minister of MSSD, emphasized the importance of the facility for vulnerable children, particularly the CICL.
“Children in conflict with the law are among the most vulnerable in our society. Even when these children run afoul of the law, they should not be treated like other suspects or convicted criminals and should not be placed in lock-up cells,” Minister Jajurie stated.
“As we receive the center, we will take the necessary steps to make it operational, including furnishing it with the necessary furniture and fixtures, and hiring the required staff complement,” she added.
Establishing the Bahay Pag-Asa marks a crucial step towards fostering the welfare of vulnerable children in Sulu, providing them with the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
MSSD’s dedication to this cause and its collaborative efforts with the MPW and other partner agencies are instrumental in ensuring the success of this initiative.
๐๐๐ผ๐น๐น๐ผ๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐!
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