1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
2nd Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES ERWIN T. TULFO, JOCELYN P. TULFO 
EDVIC G. YAP, ERIC GO YAP AND RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING ADDITIONAL HOUSES OF HOPE FOR CHILDREN IN 
CONFLICT WITH THE LAW AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XV, Section 3 of the Constitution underscores the paramount 
importance of upholding and safeguarding the welfare of children. In line with this, 
Republic Act No. 9344, otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 
2006, as amended by Republic Act No. 10630, reinforces the state's commitment to 
protect the rights of children, especially those in conflict with the law, by providing 
them with proper care, guidance, and rehabilitation instead of punishment. 
Accordingly, Republic Act No. 10630 mandated the establishment of Houses of Hope 
or ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’ for children in conflict with the law. 
However, reports reveal the inadequacy of existing youth detention centers in 
catering to the needs of children in conflict with the law. While several Bahay Pag-Asa 
have been established nationwide, many remain overcrowded and fail to meet the 
standards set for the rehabilitation and reintegration of juvenile offenders. Out of the 
total number of Bahay Pag-Asa, only a fraction has been accredited, resulting in 
disproportionate placement and limited resources for rehabilitation programs. On 
average, each Bahay Pag-Asa houses a significant number of children, far exceeding 
capacity, thus compromising the quality of care and rehabilitation services provided. 
It is imperative to establish additional Bahay Pag-Asa to ensure that the best 
interests of children in conflict with the law are met. By providing sufficient and 
properly equipped youth detention centers, we can create a conducive environment 
for the rehabilitation and reintegration of juvenile offenders into society. Investing in 
the expansion of Bahay Pag-Asa facilities will not only uphold the rights of children 
but also contribute to the promotion of a just and humane juvenile justice system. 
10276
April 29, 2024
2:25 pm


2 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
  ERWIN T. TULFO
EDVIC G. YAP
JOCELYN P. TULFO 
       ERIC GO YAP 
            RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO   


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
2nd Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES ERWIN T. TULFO, JOCELYN P. TULFO 
EDVIC G. YAP, ERIC G. YAP AND RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING ADDITIONAL HOUSES OF HOPE FOR CHILDREN IN 
CONFLICT WITH THE LAW AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Bahay Pag-Asa Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to promote and 
protect the best interests of children in cognizance of their vital role in nation-building. 
In line with this, the State’s policies and programs for children in conflict with the law 
shall be guided by the principles of restorative justice providing among others dispositive 
measures for their care, guidance counseling, probation, institutional care, and education 
in preparation for their eventual re-integration into the community. 
SECTION 3. Creation of Additional Houses of Hope. – In addition to currently 
existing Houses of Hope, or ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’ as defined in Republic Act No. 10630, the 
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with Local 
Government Units (LGUs) and the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), shall 
establish, operate, and maintain one (1) additional ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’ in each province and 
highly-urbanized city within their respective jurisdiction. 
SECTION 4. Operation and Maintenance. – Each ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’ established 
pursuant under this Act, and all its facilities therein, shall be managed, operated and 
maintained jointly by the DSWD and the respective LGUs in accordance with the 
standards and related provisions set forth in the implementing rules and regulations of 
Republic Act No. 9344, as amended, and adopted by the JJWC. 
10276


 
SECTION 5. Role and Functions of the DSWD. – The DSWD, in coordination with 
the JJWC, is hereby mandated to: 
 
(1) Create an Infrastructure and Multidisciplinary Plan for each ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’ 
addressing the limitations of currently existing youth detention centers which shall begin 
not later than six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, to be completed not later than 
five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act; 
 
(2) Carry out the decongestion and transfer of children in conflict with the law in 
other provincial and city youth detention centers to the ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’ to be established 
under this Act. 
 
SECTION 6. Periodic Review. – The DSWD, JJWC and LGUs concerned shall 
submit an annual report to Congress detailing the number of ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’ established 
from the effectivity of this Act, the number of children in conflict with the law detained 
in each ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’, and any other relevant information Congress may require, to 
ensure that each province and highly-urbanized city have established a Bahay Pag-Asa 
in accordance with this Act. 
 
SECTION 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of 
the concerned departments. Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued 
implementation of the Program shall be included in the budget of the departments in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
In addition, the departments concerned may accept donations, contributions, and 
grants from various sources for purposes of implementing this Act. 
 
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from 
the approval of this Act, the DSWD and JJWC, in coordination and consultation with non-
government organizations providing short-term residential care for children in conflict 
with the law, shall formulate rules and guidelines as may be necessary for the proper 
implementation and enforcement of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations 
(IRR) provided for under this Act shall be reviewed periodically, and revised, if 
necessary. 
 
SECTION. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, such declaration shall not invalidate other parts thereof 
which shall remain in full force and effect. 


 
 
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
rules, and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with or contrary to the 
provisions of this Act are hereby amended, repealed, or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general application. 
 
Approved,