The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Provincial Government of Cebu, inaugurated the f irst-ever Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) for female children in conflict with the law (CICL) in Visayas on June 20, 2025, in Consolacion, Cebu.
The facility is the first of its kind in the region and will cater to up to 25 female CICL from Regions VI, VII, and VIII. The center will provide gender-responsive care and specialized rehabilitation services, including psychosocial support, education, life skills training, and holistic interventions, all tailored to support their recovery and reintegration into society.
“Today marks a milestone for juvenile justice in the Visayas. RRCY for Girls is a testament that every child matters, and every girl deserves protection, compassion, and a future full of possibilities,” said JJWC Executive Director, Atty. Tricia Clare A. Oco.
The establishment of RRCY for Girls addresses a gap in the juvenile justice system in the Visayas, where female CICLs had limited access to rehabilitation services specifically tailored for them.
Atty. Oco emphasized that “the government affirms its commitment to ensure that all children, regardless of gender or circumstance, will receive equal opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration.”
The inauguration was attended by Supreme Court Associate Justice Geraldine Fiel–Macaraig, DSWD Officials – Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Assistant Secretary Elaine Fallarcuna, and Regional Dir. Shalaine Lucero, JJWC Executive Director Atty. Tricia Clare Oco, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, and Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation – Integrated Development Center, Inc. Fr. Eugenio Docoy Jr. and Mr. John Moreto.
