Have you ever heard of the “Bahay Pag-Asa?” Did you know that almost every province and highly-urbanized city in the Philippines has one? Literally, the term translates to “House of Hope.” It is a place where children at risk (CAR) and children in conflict with the law (CICL) can find the protection and restorative justice that they need.
In this article, we will talk about Bahay Pag-Asa, a facility that is typically managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, together with other government and non-government organizations. We have also included a list of Bahay Pag-Asa centers located in different parts of the country.
What is Bahay Pag-Asa?
Bahay Pag-Asa is a 24-hour child caring institution that is established, funded, and managed by one local government unit (LGU) and two DSWD-licensed and/or accredited non-government organizations (NGOs).
The facility provides short-term residential care for children in conflict with the law who are above 15 and below 18 years old — waiting for court disposition of their cases, or transfer to other agencies or jurisdiction.
Likewise, Bahay Pag-Asa provides intensive intervention to children in conflict with the law who have committed serious offenses or have committed an offense twice or more often — but are not criminally liable because they are 15 years old and below.
Generally speaking, the facility serves as a temporary home for children in conflict with the law, a place where they can appreciate their worth and rebuild their lives.
Target Beneficiaries
The target beneficiaries of Bahay Pag-Asa include children in conflict with the law who fall under the following categories:
- Above 15 and below 18 years old, whose cases are on trial/pending;
- Above 12 to 15 years old, alleged to have committed serious crimes with commitment issued by the court;
- Above 12 to 15 years old, alleged to have committed an offense for the second time or more often, committed voluntarily by parents or with order for involuntary commitment from the court; and
- Above 12 years old to below 18 years old, whose best interest is to be placed in a facility because: (a) his/her life is at risk in the community due to the alleged commitment of offense; (b) he/she is likely to continue to harm the community; or (c) he/she has no family or responsible individuals to provide adequate care.
Programs and Services
Bahay-Pag Asa provides different programs and services to address the beneficiaries’ health, nutrition, psychological, educational, and legal needs. Hence, it carries out the following activities:
- Sports, arts and crafts, academic, and spiritual enrichment sessions;
- Skills training depending on the interests and needs of the children;
- Purposive sessions for parents on how to deal well with adolescents; and
- Focused interventions for children involved in drug addiction.
Multi-Disciplinary Team
Each Bahay Pag-Asa is managed by a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) who will formulate an individualized intervention program for each resident in the facility. This team is comprised of:
- Social worker;
- Medical doctor;
- Psychologist/mental health professional;
- Education/guidance counselor; and
- One member of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC).
Intensive Juvenile Intervention and Support Center
Every Bahay Pag-Asa has an Intensive Juvenile Intervention and Support Center or IJISC. This center caters to children in conflict with the law who are:
- Above 12 to 15 years old, alleged to have committed a serious crime;
- A repeat offender;
- Dependent, abandoned, neglected, or abused; or
- Children at risk, whose best interest is to be placed in Bahay Pag-Asa.
Video: Religious Organization Visits Bahay Pag-Asa
As mentioned earlier, Bahay Pag-Asa conducts various programs and services for its residents. These include spiritual enrichment activities, which are usually done by private or non-government organizations. In this video shared last year, Our Daily Bread Pilipinas (a religious organization) paid a visit to Bahay Pag-Asa in Mandaluyong. Check it out to learn more about the visit!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Meanwhile, here are some commonly asked questions about Bahay Pag-Asa:
1. What is Bahay Pag-Asa?
Bahay Pag-Asa is a 24-hour child caring institution that provides short-term residential care for children in conflict with the law and children at risk. It serves as a temporary home where they can appreciate their worth and rebuild their lives.
2. Who are its target beneficiaries?
Bahay Pag-Asa’s target beneficiaries include children in conflict with the law who are: (a) above 15 and below 18 years old, whose cases are on trial/pending; (b) above 12 to 15 years old, alleged to have committed serious crimes with commitment issued by the court; (c) above 12 to 15 years old, alleged to have committed an offense for the second time or more often; and (d) above 12 years old to below 18 years old, whose best interest is to be placed in a facility.
3. What are its programs and services?
The facility conducts various programs and services, including: (a) sports, arts and crafts, academic, and spiritual enrichment sessions; (b) skills training; (c) purposive sessions for parents; and (d) focused interventions for children involved in drugs.
4. Who manages the facility?
Bahay Pag-Asa is managed by a Multi-Disciplinary Team that consists of: social worker; medical doctor; psychologist/mental health professional; education/guidance counselor; and one member of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC).
5. How can I learn more about it?
You can learn more about Bahay Pag-Asa by inquiring with the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (C/MSWDO) in your areas.
List of LGU-Managed Bahay Pag-Asa Centers
Here is a list of Bahay Pag-Asa Centers across the Philippines. Please note that these are all LGU-managed centers with valid accreditation certificates:
National Capital Region (NCR)
Bahay Pag-Asa Youth Development Center (formerly Bahay Lingap Center)
Address: Boni Avenue corner Lions Rd., Brgy. Barangka Ilaya, Mandaluyong City
Telephone: 8477-4941 / 535-7127
Email: cswdmandaluyong@gov.ph@gmail.com
Bahay Pag-Asa (Makati Youth Home)
Address: Fabella Compound Onyx St., Brgy. La Paz, Makati City
San Juan City Bahay Pag-Asa
Address: P. Narsiso St., Brgy. Corazon de Jesus, San Juan City
Telephone: 8691-0454 / 942-7967
Email: sanjuancitybahaypagasa@gmail.com
Bahay Pag-Asa ng Valenzuela
Address: #118 R. Jacinto St., Canumay West, Valenzuela City
Telephone: (8) 556-7707
Email: bpvalenzuela531@gmail.com
Navotas City Bahay Pag-Asa
Address: Phase 2, Area I, Block 24, Dalag cor. Langaray Sts., Brgy. NBBS, Navotas City
Email: bahaypagasa_nav@yahoo.com
Molave Youth Home (Bahay Pag-Asa)
Address: Forestry St., Diamond Hills Subdivision, Molave Extension, Brgy. Payatas B, Quezon City
Email: rrd.ssdd@quezoncity.gov.ph
Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
Provincial Government of Abra – Bahay Pag-Asa
Address: Barangay Calaba, Bangued, Abra, 2800
Telephone: 614-5049
Email: abrabahaypag-asa@gmail.com
Region I
Bahay Pag-Asa Youth Home Center
Address: Gracia Village, Nancayasan, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan
Email: cswdo.urdaneta@gmail.com
Region II
Bahay Pag-Asa Center (Transition and Rehabilitation Home for Disadvantaged Children)
Address: Sitio Manalpaac, Barangay San Pablo, Cauayan City, Isabela
Telephone: 078-6522017 / 078-6522205 / 6523376 / 6524069
Email: cswdofficelgucauayan@yahoo.com
Region III
Aurora Provincial Bahay Pag-Asa
Address: ATC Compound, Sitio Setan, Brgy. Calabuanan, Baler, Aurora
Bahay Pag-Asa Residential Care Center
Address: Purok 6 Parugrog Street, Kalidkid Sur, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, 3100
Email: bahaypagasa.cab.city@gmail.com
Region IV-A
Batangas Bahay Pag-Asa
Address: Provincial Sports Complex, Bolbok, Batangas
Telephone: (043) 723-3779
Email: bpbatangas@gmail.com
Rehabilitation and Care for Youth Center (Bahay Pag-Asa)
Address: Y.E.S. City, Sitio Batangasan, Brgy. Cuyambay, Tanay
Telephone: (02) 620-2472 / 620-2400
Email: pswd.rizal@gmail.com
Region VII
Bahay Pag-Asa – Biliran
Address: Provincial Government Center, Sitio San Roque, Brgy. Larrazabal, Naval, Biliran
Telephone: 053-5004117
Region X
Bahay Pag-Asa – Misamis Occidental
Address: Purok 7 Brgy. Basirang, Tudela, Misamis Occidental
Telephone: (088) 531-1540
Region XI
Bahay Pag-Asa (A Transition and Rehabilitation Home for Children)
Address: Purok 5, Brgy. Sta. Maria, Nabunturan, Davao De Oro
Bahay Pag-Asa Davao del Norte
Address: Purok 2, Poblacion, New Corella, Davao del Norte
Email: bahaypagasanorte@gmail.com
CARAGA
Bahay Pag-Asa (Home for Children in Conflict with the Law)
Address: Doña Rosario, Tubay, Agusan del Norte
Telephone: 342-7972/ 816-3663
Email: pswd_adn@yahoo.com
Final Thoughts
By providing children in conflict with the law the care, protection, and interventions that they need, each Bahay Pag-Asa is a “house of hope,” indeed! Do not hesitate to visit the Bahay Pag-Asa in your area, especially if you know someone who needs their services!
In addition to Bahay Pag-Asa, the DSWD has a program that is specifically designed to help children in conflict with the law. Visit this link to know more about the program, Buklod Paglaom.