6/25/2013

Youth Home building finally starting!

The construction works for the Youth Home started last April in Bacolod City. The first phase of this project includes the building of the dormitories and the sanitation facilities to accommodate the first 30 young beneficiaries. A windmill, which functions as a water pump run by the energy from the wind, will enable to provide drinkable water into the facilities. The solar panels to be used for the dormitories’ lighting have already been provided and the annex has also been built.

The construction of the administrative building and the building dedicated to the multi-purpose area and the dining hall should follow, along with the wetland system used for waste water management. The design of the facilities and equipments has been drafted in collaboration with a volunteer from HOST-NGO, Amélie A., consultant in renewable energies. Over her one-month mission in the Philippines last year, she conducted an on-field assessment and shared her feedback on how to enhance the use of natural resources while preserving the environment.

The City of Bacolod has planned a budget of PHP 3 Million (around €55,000) to fund the following phases. HOST-NGO supports the local authorities to search for public and private partners in order to ensure the construction of the whole Youth Home, and enable the operating of the center at the earliest.



Whether you are interested to help us finance or achieve this project, feel free to contact us and we will share with you the project’s specific needs: contact@host-ngo.org

3/01/2013

Youth Home project's first phase – call for support

Bacolod City has been striving to support the children and youth in conflict with the law for the interest of the whole community. The Ordinance no.566, dated from November 16, 2011, planned the building of a rehabilitation center for juvenile delinquents in Bacolod City. This decision was initiated by the Republic Act no.8369, “Family Courts Act of 1997”, and the Republic Act no.9344, “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006”, which require local governments to provide the children in conflict with a law with a specific detention and rehabilitation center, separated from the facilities for adult delinquents.

In 2012, Bacolod City selected the construction site dedicated for the Youth Home, located in the Vista Alegre-Granada district. The ground breaking ceremony was held last August by the city representatives with the participation of partners and members of local communities.

The assessment and planning of the Youth Home project has been conducted by city officers along with Virlanie-Bacolod volunteers. This initial phase enabled to specify how the children in conflict with the law will be cared for at the rehabilitation center. Maximum capacity has been agreed to 100 children and the construction plan will integrate the development of renewable energies.

The project has been divided into three main phases: the first one will start very soon with the construction of the first dormittory, a well, a windmill, a water tank, a septic tank and solar panels. The city allocated a budget of PHP 4 Million (Euros 75,000). The public call for bids has been opened in February and the construction is to start in March.

Through the social and professional rehabilitation services, to be provided to young people suffering from critical social issues, the city is sending a strong message of hope to the most disadvantaged communities. The local authorities are willing to dedicate actual and relevant measures in order to assist the communities facing problems often caused by a fast economic development of middle-range to big cities. Bacolod City indeed attracts many migrants from the most remote areas of the province of Negros Occidental.

The Youth Home project will only be achieved if all the members of the local community are involved, i.e. the civil society along with public and private actors, and thanks to the significant support of international organizations and donors. HOST-NGO is currently looking for partners willing to support this project with financial, material or human resources, or also willing to share technical knowledge and skills. For further information, do not hesitate to contact HOST-NGO by email (contact@host-ngo.org) or visit the website (www.host-ngo.org).

8/02/2012

Youth Home Ground Breaking


SDC Center Head Gina Castro, Bacolod City Police Office Director Ricardo De la Paz, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia












Early August, a ground breaking ceremony was held on the construction site of the future rehabilitation center for the children in conflict with the law in Bacolod City. This landmark event is giving birth to the Youth Home, which is the first project to be implemented within the People-Private-Public Partnership (PPPP). 
The construction of the center should start in 2013 in the Vista Alegre - Granada district located in the outskirts of Bacolod City. It falls in line with a relocation program launched by the City for the underpriviledged communities suffering from critical housing and living difficulties. It will offer rehabilitation opportunities to the vulnerable children of these families, who are often affected by delinquency issues.

In Bacolod City, there is indeed no available public infrastructure dedicated to specifically treat and rehabilitate young offenders in Bacolod City. The Social Development Center (SDC) is currently the only institution catering for the children in conflict with the law and the street children. It will function as a processing center prior to the transfer of the children, who will benefit from the rehabilitation program offered by the future Youth Home.

All relevant actors were present on that special day to show their enthusiasm. The City Mayor adressed the guests and the members of the neighbouring communities with a confident and hopeful message. The volunteers' team from Virlanie-Bacolod and HOST-NGO also attended to witness the success of their collaboration with the local authorities. It is safe to conclude that everyone is looking forward for the building to start...