SINCE it has no intention of maintaining its operations, the Cebu Provincial Government will revoke the deed of donation it had entered into with a faith-based non-government organization for the establishment of MyHome, a building that would house children in conflict with the law (CICL).
MyHome was turned over by the Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation–Integrated Development Center Inc. (JPIC) to the Province in 2015, to house CICL from the ages of 11 to 14 years old.
It is located in Barangay Tayud, Consolacion town.
In an interview on Tuesdsay, Oct. 22, 2019, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said there is no reason to keep the building the JPIC built since the Capitol will turn over the management of all its CICL facilities to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“We will be taking the proper steps. This building was constructed by JPIC and donated to the Province.
The Province will shoulder the personal services, operation and maintenance and other capital outlay for MyHome,” Garcia said.
“We will be writing JPIC, indicating our position that the Province will be no longer operating this so that the JPIC will have the grounds to transfer the donation to DSWD,” she added.
Aside from MyHome, the Province will also turn over to DSWD the management of the Bahay Pag-asa Center in Barangay Inayagan, City of Naga.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the P10 million facility, which will cater to CICL from the ages of 15 to 18 years old, on Feb. 21, 2019.
The governor met with DSWD 7 officials led by Director Rebecca Geamala on Monday night, Oct. 21, to discuss the proposed turnover of the CICL facilities.
As this developed, Garcia reiterated that the Provincial Government will turn over the management of a reform center in Pinamungajan town to the Department of Health (DOH).
Globe Telecom turned over Project New Life Center to the Province on July 19, 2019 to help address the growing need for treatment and care for drug surrenderers.
Located within the Jose Maria Borromeo Memorial District Hospital compound, the 2,600-square-meter facility has a 106-bed capacity with open spaces and a recreation room. It is expected to be fully operational by the fourth quarter of 2019.
Garcia said managing a rehab center is not the Capitol’s expertise and letting the DOH take over would be the most effective solution. (RTF)