The country will have five additional regional Bahay Pag-Asa (BPA) facilities, as Senator Win Gatchalian pushed for funding for these facilities, emphasizing the critical need for the government to enhance its capacity to provide appropriate interventions for children in conflict with the law (CICL).

The senator had specifically pushed for the allocation of P200 million for the establishment of five BPA centers in 2026.

“The BPA facilities are a critical lifeline for young individuals to reform and rejoin society productively. Tulad ng ginawa namin sa Valenzuela, nakita natin kung paano natulungan ng Bahay Pag-asa ang maraming kabataan na naligaw ng landas na nais makapagtapos ng pag-aaral at makapagsimula ng bagong buhay,” said Gatchalian.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Gatchalian emphasized the need to ensure that the proposed budget gives priority to the needs of disadvantaged constituents, particularly young Filipinos.

According to the DSWD, the country has 118 BPA centers that provide temporary shelter, rehabilitation programs, and support for reintegrating CICLs into society.  However, many of these facilities have limited capacity.