More than a century ago, Dr. Jose Rizal wrote the words “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan (The youth is the hope of the nation),” a belief that the Province of Biliran continues to uphold through a partnership giving children in conflict with the law (CICL) an opportunity to begin again.

The Responsible Youth and Family Program (RYFP) is a partnership among the province’s eight municipalities which provides sustained support for the rehabilitation and reintegration of vulnerable children in Biliran Bahay Pag-asa (BPA).

Shalom Ngoho, supervisor of Biliran BPA, believes that the program is more than just having a funding mechanism, it is a shared responsibility and commitment to the future of the children in Biliran.

“Nagkakaisa kami kung ano ang gusto namin sa isang bata or ano ba ang gusto naming makamit para po sa pagbabago ng mga batang ito. Isa ito sa mismong pinagkukunan ng gastos ng operation ng Bahay Pag-asa,” Ngoho shared.

(We are united in what we want for a child or what we want to achieve for the transformation of these children. This is one of the primary sources for the operating expenses of Bahay Pag-asa.)

Through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the eight municipalities contribute a portion of their funds to support the BPAs operations, helping ensure that children receive the services they need while undergoing rehabilitation.

The partnership also involves technical assistance, advocacy training, and capacity building activities that aim to prevent children from entering the juvenile justice system in the first place.

For Heide Pates, center head of Biliran BPA, the success of rehabilitation efforts depends on collective action.

“Support from LGUs, partner agencies, and non-government organizations plays a vital role in the implementation of our programs and services through funding support, technical assistance, augmentation of services, and collaborative program implementation,” she said.

According to Pates, this partnership strengthens the ability of the BPA to rehabilitate children, and help them successfully reintegrate into their families and communities.

Supporting disadvantaged children

The vision behind the program started back in 2009, as shared by Biliran Governor Rogelio J. Espina, who believes that the government’s responsibility is to support disadvantaged children.

“Importante na bigyan naman natin ng programa ang mga kabataan natin dahil alam naman natin na ang buhay talaga ay hindi pantay-pantay,” Espina said.

(It is important that we provide programs for our youth because we all know that life is not equal for everyone.)

“Kawawa naman kung hindi natin bibigyan ang ating mga disadvantaged children sa ating lipunan. Kaya tayo nagtayo ng Bahay Pag-asa sa probinsya ng Biliran,” he added.

(It would be unfortunate if we do not provide support for our disadvantaged children in the community. That is why we established Bahay Pag-asa in the province of Biliran.)

The success of the program is evident in the lives of its former residents, whose lives changed for the better.

For one former resident, a college graduate who now works for a finance company, he admitted that when he first entered Biliran BPA, he was stubborn and didn’t want guidance.

“Sobrang tigas ng ulo ko, pero sa center, marami talaga akong natutunan na nagpabago sa buhay ko. Pagkatapos kong ma-discharge, marami akong na-apply na aral,” the former resident shared.

(I was very stubborn, but at the center, I really learned a lot of things that changed my life. After I was discharged, I applied many of the lessons I learned.)

Today, his focus is on building himself and the family he hopes to have one day, with the goal of ensuring that his future children will not experience what he went through.

His advice to children currently undergoing rehabilitation is for them to always listen.

“Matututo tayong makinig talaga. ’Yun naman talaga ang mahalaga kung paano tayo magbabago. Kasi kung hindi tayo nakikinig, paano tayo magbabago?” he added.

(We have to learn how to listen. That is what is really important if we want to change. Because if we don’t listen, how can we change?)