In pursuit of its mandate to deliver efficient programs and services to the vulnerable sectors that it serves, including children in conflict with the law (CICL), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office (FO) MIMAROPA has improved the MIMAROPA Youth Center (MYC).

From a one building-facility built in 2009, the MYC of the DSWD FO IVB now has an Administration Building, two separate dormitories, two stockrooms, a centralized kitchen, and a multi-purpose hall.

According to Bartolome Castillo, a house parent who has been working in MYC since it started its operation, the new improvements to the center is a welcome sight not just to the current clients but also to the staff and visitors.

“Malaking tulong na may sarili nang lugar ang mga bata at hindi na nakahalo sa mga staff. May privacy ang mga bata, at makakapag-focus na rin ang mga staff sa trabaho nila,” (It is a huge advantage that the children now have a place of their own and are not sharing a single space with the staff. The children may enjoy their privacy, and the staff can now focus on their tasks), he said.

The renovation of MYC was realized through the Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCF) project of the Department. Through the project, Field Office MIMAROPA was given a total of P15.7 million allotment with P9.7 million for the construction and repair of infrastructure sub-projects; P3.8 million for non-infrastructure provisions such as machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, semi-expendables and other supplies and materials; and P2.1 million for salaries of additional staff and other project costs.

Located in Bansud, Oriental Mindoro, MYC provides protection and rehabilitation services to CICL to prepare them for their reintegration to their families and communities. The center currently houses 27 CICL who are provided with social, homelife, educational, health promotion, spiritual, practice skills enhancement, sociocultural, and legal services.

Likewise, the center has 19 staff complement composed of social welfare assistants and officers, engineer, house parents, psychometrician, and administrative assistants who ensure the efficient and effective delivery of services to its clients.###