[from left] Vice Governor Victorio R. Suaybaguio Jr., Governor Rodolfo P. Del Rosario, Director Priscilla N. Razon of DSWD, Mayor Nestor L. Alcoran of New Corella, and Provincial Board Member and chair of the Committee on Social Services Raymond Joey D. Millan lead the ribbon cutting ceremonies.

New Corella, Davao Del Norte  -The fifth Bahay Pagasa in Davao Region was opened here on September 1 with a Blessing and Handover ceremonies led by Davao Del Norte Governor Rodolfo P. Del Rosario, Vice Governor Victorio R. Suaybaguio Jr. and Director Priscilla N. Razon of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Located in a Poblacion New Corella, the center is located in a four-hectare provincial rehabilitation complex along with the Luntiang Paraiso Regional Rehabilitation Center, a drug dependents’ rehab facility.

The center was completed with a funding of Php 2.5 million from Sen. Francis Pangilinan through DSWD and Php 1 million from Rep. Anthony Del Rosario.

Joining the occasion which also commemorated the 80^th birthday of Governor Del Rosario, were some local chief executives of the province, municipal social welfare officers, provincial and Tagum City prosecution officials, IP leaders, media practitioners, officials of national agencies and local governments, and officers of Tagum cooperatives.

After the Blessing which was officiated by Rev. Fr. Juanito Lozano of Christ the King Parish, Tagum City, Director Razon presented the objectives of Bahay Pagasa before she turned over the center’s Manual of Operations to the governor.

Governor Del Rosario in his acceptance message said another center to serve disadvantaged women will be put up in the rehabilitation complex. “We are going to call this whole complex Welfare Village, The Healing Fields. I challenge the provincial social welfare office to further improve their services for the good of Davao Del Norte.

Established in all regions throughout the country, Bahay Pag-asa is a 24-hour residential facility that provides temporary care and serves as a rehabilitation center to a maximum of 25 male CICL at any given time.

The center provides protection, care, capability building and rehabilitation for   CICL in a home-like environment for a maximum period of six months.

Managed by the local government unit, Bahay Pagasa facilitates the immediate assessment of the physical, psycho-social, medical and economic condition of the CICL to arrive at a holistic understanding of the child in relation with his violation of the law.

The assessment will guide the social worker in formulating and executing an individualized rehabilitation plan or program that will address the needs of the child.  (DSWD)