Manila: Five more regional centers for children in conflict with the law (CICL) will be established next year, according to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian. A PHP200-million budget has been allotted in the Senate version of the proposed 2026 national budget for the establishment of the five Bagong Pag-Asa (BPA) centers, Gatchalian said in a statement Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Gatchalian, described BPA centers as “a critical lifeline for young individuals to reform and rejoin society productively.” He cited the success of similar initiatives in Valenzuela, where BPA centers have been instrumental in aiding troubled youth seeking to complete their education and begin anew.

Currently, the country has 118 BPA centers dispersed throughout the nation, as reported by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. These centers offer temporary shelter, rehabilitation programs, and support for reintegrating CICLs into society. However, many of these facilities are facing challenges due to limited capacity.

Gatchalian, who advocated for the funding of these facilities, highlighted the importance of prioritizing the needs of disadvantaged constituents, especially young Filipinos, within the proposed budget.