Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No._ 7554

Introduced by: HON. ANTONIO “TONYPET” T. ALBANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Data provided by DSWD Region 2 show there are currently 182 children in
conflict with the law (CICL) from the Province of Isabela. These minors consist of
those under the diversion program, on suspended sentence, awaiting or on-going
trial, and those committed to temporary youth detention jails located in different
facilities as far as Cagayan and Nueva Vizcaya. Most of them were put in the
custody of their families due to lack of facilities in the province. In many instances,
the parents of these children are not capable of providing the guidance, protection
and care they need,

These children in conflict with law (CICL) cannot be detained or housed in the
same facilities where adult offenders, children who have suffered abuse and
maltreatment, or are victims of crimes perpetuated by adults or children of their age.

Republic Act 9344 Sec. 49 as amended by Republic Act 10630 statesthat
local government units (LGUs) shall set aside resources to build youth detention
homes, otherwise known as Bahay Pag-Asa to service the needs of the CICLin
every province and highly-urbanized city.

Rule 99 of the revised implementing rules and regulationsof RA 10639
requires that the Department of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD) shall
develop standards for the establishmentof the said Bahay Pag-Asa to ensure thatthe
CICL will have the best possible programs and facilities for their rehabilitation to
pave the way for their eventual re-integration to the community.


This bill seeks to establish and sustain the operations of a Bahay Pag-Asa for

the Province of Isabela to provide housing, appropriate care, rehabilitation and even
training and education for the CICL from the province to ensure for them every

opportunity to build better lives when they are released from detention.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this initiative is earnestly sought.

ANTONIO “TONYPET” T. ALBANO


Republic of the Philippine
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 7554

Introduced by: HON. ANTONIO “TONYPET” T. ALBANO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE BAHAY PAG-ASA OF THE PROVINCE OF
ISABELA AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of State Policy — It is the policy of the State to
promote and protect the best interests of children and it takes cognizance of their
vital role in nation building.

The State, in accord with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the
Child, shall treat every child alleged, accused, adjudged, or found to have infringed
penal law with dignity and respect in reference to their gender, cultural and religious
perspectives.

The State's policies and programs for children in conflict with law shall be
guided by the principles of restorative justice providing among others dispositive
measures for their care, guidance counselling, probation, and institutional care as
well as their education in preparation for their eventual re-integration to the
community.

SECTION 2. Establishment of the Bahay Pag-Asa of the Province of
Isabela - The provincial government of Isabela shall establish a 24-hour youth
detention facility to be known as the Bahay Pag-asa of the Province of Isabela
pursuant to RA 9344 as amended by RA 10630 otherwise known as the Juvenile
Justice Welfare Act.


SECTION 3. Facilities, Services and Amenities of the Bahay Pag-Asa-
The facilities, services and amenities of the Bahay Pag-Asa shall be in accordance
with the standards and related provisions set-forth in the revised implementing rules
and regulation of RA 9344 as amended by RA 10630 and adopted by the Juvenile
Justice Welfare Council (JJWC).

SECTION 4.Care and Maintenance of the Children in Conflict with the
Law-Pursuant to Sec. 50 of RA 9344 as amended by Sec. 10 of RA 10630,the
expenses and care for the maintenance of a child in conflict with law shall be for the
account of the parents or those liable to support the child. In case of the parents’
incapacity to pay, the municipality where the crime was committed shall bear the
expenses in accordance with the law.

SECTION 5.Management of Bahay Pag-Asa - The facility shall be managed
by the Provincial Government of Isabela in coordination with the JJWC,DSWD,
DILG, DOH and DepEd in accordance with Sec. 9 of RA 10630 and its implementing
rules and regulations.

SECTION 6.Appropriations - The amount necessary for the construction of
the Bahay Pag-Asa shall be charged to the appropriations of the Department of
Public Works & Highways (DPWH). Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for
the operation and maintenance of the facility shall be included in the budget of the
Province of Isabela without prejudice to Sec. 10 of RA 10630.

SECTION 7.Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act shall be held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provisions not otherwise
affected shall be valid and subsisting.

SECTION 8.Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following
the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2)
newspaper of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved.