PIA Press Release
Monday, January 30, 2012

Youth curfew violators to stay overnight in Kanlungan Center

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan, Jan. 30 (PIA) -- The municipal social welfare office has created a center for youth curfew violators.

The Balagtas Kanlungan Drop-in Center, which was constructed last year in Brgy. Santol, is a temporary facility for delinquent minors in the town who will be caught loitering in streets during the 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew.

“This facility is complete with amenities, with rooms which could accommodate about 120 youth, comfort room, dining area, receiving and social hall, and a basketball court,” said Rolly Dañes, municipal information officer of Balagtas, in Filipino.

Dañes added that the sleeping and comfort rooms for the men and women were separated in the Kanlungan Center operated by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

According to a report published in Lakandiwa, the town’s official publication, a study of the municipal government disclosed that juveniles straying in the streets have been a predicament brought by poverty.

The youth were obliged to help their parents in staging livelihood in the streets like collecting junks and begging for alms which “oftentimes put the youth into jeopardy,” the report said.

“[These activities] also serve as the means for the youth to get engrossed in vices,” Dañes said.

With this, the Philippine National Police-Balagtas, barangay enforcers and Kanlungan Center officers have conducted monitoring operations in the about 3,000-hectare agro-industrial town to encourage minors to stay in the center rather than in the streets during the said curfew period.

The youth will be counseled upon admission at the Kanlungan Center and undergo background checking to notify their parents of their whereabouts.

“A proper documentation of the youth brought here is also held, and during their stay, they will be given neat bed, clothes and food. Counseling is also conducted for the parents and the children to advocate good ties in the family,” Dañes explained. (CLJD/JMG-PIA 3)