By I. Inojales | 11:16 AM July 24, 2025
CORTES, BOHOL — A significant milestone in child welfare and restorative justice was marked on Tuesday, July 22, with the grand opening of the Bohol Youth Home (BYH), a residential care facility for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) located in Purok 6, Barangay Malayo Sur.
The inauguration ceremony drew key provincial and municipal officials, child rights advocates, law enforcement personnel, development partners, and civil society groups—celebrating a long-awaited initiative aimed at providing compassionate, community-based care for Boholano youth in conflict with the law.
Leading the event were Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, Vice Governor Nick Besas, and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, including Board Members Tita Baja, Lucille Lagunay, and Jiselle Rae Aumentado Villamor. Also present were RTC Branch 3 Judge Samson Ariel Cayetuna, City Prosecutor Atty. Adolfo Doroy, Cortes Mayor Rodrigo Dennis Uy, and Barangay Malayo Sur’s Punong Barangay Josefina Tubac.
The Bohol Youth Home is a purpose-built facility aligned with Republic Act No. 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. It offers temporary shelter, psychosocial support, life skills training, values formation, and reintegration programs designed to help CICL reintegrate into their families and communities.
Governor Aumentado underscored the provincial government’s commitment to second chances.
“Even if our youth commit mistakes and violate the law, we want to give them a chance to change and live normal lives with their families. The Bohol Youth Home is the fruit of our collective efforts, past and present, to ensure a better future for our children,” he said.
For years, Bohol lacked a dedicated facility for CICL, forcing families and local government units to refer minors to centers outside the province—hindering rehabilitation efforts and separating children from their support systems. With BYH now operational, CICL can receive care while staying close to their families and communities.
Board Member Jiselle Rae Aumentado Villamor, drawing from her experience in handling CICL cases, emphasized the human side of rehabilitation:
“The Bohol Youth Home is more than just a structure—it is a beacon of hope and a symbol of restorative justice. It’s not only about legal solutions; it’s about understanding the child’s world, ” she said.
The project was made possible through collaborative planning, led by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (OPSWD), with support from national agencies such as the DSWD, Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), Department of Justice (DOJ), PNP-WCPD, and local stakeholders. Key partners included GAD Focal Person Dr. Anne Mariquit Derikito Oppus, PASWI Bohol Chapter, and ALSWDOPI.
Cortes Mayor Uy hailed the opening as a “landmark achievement” for both the municipality and the province.
“This facility is the product of genuine unity and collaboration. It reflects our commitment to rehabilitate, protect, and empower the youth, who are the future of our nation, ” Uy said.
Judge Cayetuna echoed this sentiment, calling the BYH a “promise of healing”.
“This is not a jail. This is a home of second chances. Justice is not just about punishment—it’s about rebuilding lives,” he said.
The Bohol Youth Home will begin accepting CICL residents starting July 23, 2025, setting a new standard for restorative, child-centered care in the province. It stands as a testament to Bohol’s inclusive governance, ensuring that every child, regardless of past mistakes, is given the chance to grow, heal, and thrive.
