Managing Children at the Bahay PAG-ASA: Experiences of the Personnel Handling Varied In-House Personalities

The Philippine laws exempt children from criminal liability and subjects them to an intervention program where the facility personnel must guide and care for them as parents. However, the juvenile delinquents housed in these facilities may vary in character and attitudes, and most of them are in the stage of adolescence which can have a salient impact on the relationship between the house parents and the children. This study explores the experiences of house parents who work with Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) and Children at Risk (CAR) in Bahay Pag-asa, a youth rehabilitation center in the Philippines. Using an interview guide and recording devices, the researchers gathered data from 8 personnel from the only Pag-asa Youth Home in Ozamiz City. This study applied the qualitative research method using a phenomenological methodology to interpret data from research participants to obtain meaningful themes. The findings reveal five themes: Varied Emotions, Building Positive Relationships with the Children, CICL being more Challenging to Handle Compared to CAR, Children Escaping, and Communicating in a Calm and Understanding Manner. Despite the challenges, the participants are still committed to their work and desire to make a positive impact on the lives of the children they serve. The study concludes that building strong relationships with children based on trust, respect, communication, and empathy is critical to the children’s development and progress as well as to their relationship between the house parents. Furthermore, special approaches may be necessary in handling these children given their trauma and mental health issues. In other words, insufficient resources make it challenging to provide adequate care and assistance. The researchers recommend that house parents at Bahay Pag-asa receive basic trainings on handling juvenile delinquents, strategies for managing challenging behaviors, and techniques for promoting positive behavior. They also suggest providing stress-relieving activities for the house parents, such as counseling sessions, mindfulness practices, and self-care opportunities, to prevent burnout and promote their ability to care for the children in a safe and nurturing environment.