ANGELES CITY — Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. unveiled plans during his recent State of the City Address to establish the Kanlungan ng Kabataan Reformation Center, a P50-million project that aims to provide shelter and rehabilitation for homeless individuals and support youth in need of care and guidance.
The Kanlungan ng Kabataan Reformation Center will be a multifaceted facility, encompassing the Bahay Pag-Asa, Sagip Batang Solvent Reformation Center, Home for the Girls, and temporary shelters for homeless families and mentally-challenged individuals.
In addition, the Bale Pusu Home for the Homeless Elderly will undergo expansion to cater to male homeless elders.
Under the leadership of Mayor Lazatin, Chief Adviser IC Calaguas, City Engineer Donato Dizon, and City Social Welfare and Development Officer Edna Duaso will spearhead the project.
This endeavor was first conceptualized in 2019 but was delayed due to the pandemic.
The Kanlungan ng Kabataan Reformation Center will comprise four buildings, housing a training center, a classroom for alternative learning systems, recreation areas, mess halls, and dormitories.
The center will collaborate with the Department of Education to provide an alternative learning system and enlist the assistance of TESDA for training programs.
Moreover, licensed therapists will be available on-site to address the mental well-being of the children.
This marks the city’s first dedicated reformation center for youth involved in solvent sniffing, following the successful model of the Sagip Batang Solvent program initiated by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency under the leadership of Gen. Aaron Aquino.
Bahay Pag-Asa, an existing child-caring institution established in 2018 to offer rehabilitation and intervention for children in conflict with the law, will be an integral part of the Kanlungan ng Kabataan complex.
As construction progresses, the city will hire and train house parents and staff, comprising social workers, to provide a supportive environment for the children.
The center will establish meal plans, house rules, and engaging activities to promote their well-being and growth.
Mayor Lazatin expressed his commitment to ensuring the success of the project, which reflects the city’s dedication to caring for society’s abandoned members and offering comprehensive support to vulnerable youth.
The Kanlungan ng Kabataan Reformation Center aims to be a beacon of hope, embodying the city’s compassionate approach to improving the lives of all its citizens.
