THE 21ST City Council approved on Tuesday, June 17, an ordinance establishing the Bahay Pag-asa for Girls for female children in conflict with the law (CICL) and children at risk (CAR) in Davao City.
Proponent Councilor Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod said the ordinance will provide for a 24/7 dedicated residential facility for the care, rehabilitation, and psychosocial interventions of its residents while awaiting court disposition.
“One of the city’s thrusts is to protect children from further harm. Considering the social problems that confront our society, some of the youth committed various criminal offenses,” the ordinance reads.
The measure is anchored on Republic Act No. 9344, otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, as amended by RA 10630, which mandates every province and highly urbanized city to build, fund, and operate a Bahay Pag-asa within their jurisdiction.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) cited the need for a gender-responsive rehabilitation facility, noting that while the city government already operates the Children’s Village of Davao City — Bahay Pag-asa for Boys, girl CICLs have historically been housed in women’s facilities not specifically designed for their needs.
“With this need and considering the population is increasing with the rising social problems involving girls, it is just fitting that we need to establish the Children’s Village of Davao City-Bahay Pag-asa for Girls,” the project design reads.
The shelter will pattern the programs under the Bahay Pag-asa for Boys in compliance with standards set by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC).
It added that the facility aims not only to provide shelter but to give the children a chance to engage in psychosocial activities that will make them become responsible citizens.
According to the project design submitted by the CSWDO, the construction will cost Php 108,000,000.00, to be funded by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
The facility is proposed to be constructed in Barangay Biao Escuela, Tugbok District, Davao City, and is expected to serve beneficiaries from all 182 barangays of the city.
The facility will include a dormitory and sleeping quarters, an administrative building, counseling and processing rooms, and a receiving area. Construction is targeted to begin in the second quarter of 2026, following site inspection and document preparation conducted between November 2025 and January 2026.
The ordinance designates the City Mayor’s Office as the lead agency, with CSWDO as the coordinating agency.
Programs to be offered at the facility include psychosocial care, self-help activities, health and nutrition services, group supervised interaction, socio-cultural and recreational activities, spiritual and moral welfare, values education, family preservation and reunification, case management, psychological evaluation, occupational therapy, and educational assistance.
