FROM a small house, a multi-million facility was renovated in Sablan town, Benguet to house juveniles in the Cordillera and ensure no minors will be sent to jail.
The newly-renovated Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY) nestled in Sitio Pagda, Bayabas in Sablan located at the one hectare lot leased by the local government unit was opened October this year.
Leo Quintilla, director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Cordillera, said the facility can house 50 people and at any time can accommodate referrals from the local government units (LGUs).
“Because of the new facility and the case management we are doing, we also need the family, we encourage them to visit the center. That is their part of the intervention,” he added.
The P58.9 million renovation comprised of the construction of skills development building, covered court, dormitory, slope protection and interior facelift.
Nora Jacinto, Juvenile Justice Welfare secretariat, said juveniles are comprised of children below 18 years old and based on their assessment of the existing jails in the Cordillera region, no minors are currently in jail.
To date there are eight juveniles residing in the regional center with the center able to serve 27 clients for 2019.
On June 26, 2010, the regional center was established with the joint effort of LGU-Sablan and DSWD-Cordillera.
The center provides 24-hour care, treatment and rehabilitation services under the guidance of trained staff where residents are cared for structured therapeutic environment.