ANGELES CITY — A P29.9 million worth center for child care, rehabilitation and reformation center called “Kanlungan ng Kabataan” will rise here under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr.
Mayor Lazatin will lead the groundbreaking ceremony of Kanlungan ng Kabataan in Barangay Sta. Teresita on May 3, 2023.
Kanlungan ng Kabataan will be a one-stop-shop youth custody center where the Bahay Pag-asa, and Sagip Batang Solvent will be both located.
Four buildings will be constructed at the Kanlungan ng Kabataan which includes a training center, a classroom for the alternative learning system, recreation area, mess halls and dorms.
Alongside the Kanlungan ng Kabataan is the home-for-the-aged facility of the city government.
The city will also establish a drop in center for rescued street families and children.
This is another priority project of Mayor Lazatin, revealed by his Chief Adviser IC Calaguas, who will head the project along with City Engineer Donato Dizon and City Social Welfare and Development Officer Edna Duaso.
Part of Mayor Lazatin’s inauguration speech last 2022 is the establishment of Kanlungan ng Kabataan which will accommodate and transform “Batang Solvent” to productive citizens.
“Our fight against illegal dangerous drugs, which includes solvent, will remain relentless,” Lazatin said during his inauguration speech last 2022.
According to Calaguas, this project was first conceptualized in 2019 but due to the pandemic the construction was temporarily halted.
“We will tap the help of the Department of Education for the alternative learning system (ALS), TESDA for the training, and of course we will have an in-house licensed therapist for the mental well-being of children,” Calaguas said.
“Once in the city’s custody, children will go to school thru ALS, they will be taught skills and undergo counselling so we can reintegrate back to the community,” Calaguas said.
Calaguas added this is the first time the city will establish a reformation for youth sniffing solvent.
“This was actually patterned after to the Sagip Batang Solvent we had in Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency — a brainchild of former PDEA Chief Retired Gen. Aaron Aquino,” Calaguas said.
