The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V – Bicol Region remains committed to promoting the rights and welfare of vulnerable individuals. Whether through crisis response or daily support for its beneficiaries, the DSWD consistently pursues its mission of improving lives.

At the forefront of this effort is the Haven for Women and Girls (HFWG) in Nasisi, Ligao City, which has developed a unique approach to teaching self-discipline, integrity, responsibility, and accountability.

Instilling Core Values in a Safe Space

HFWG provides a safe and nurturing environment for its residents, guided by principles of social justice, dignity, and respect. Social workers and house parents are dedicated to instilling these values, even as residents occasionally make missteps.

Rather than penalize infractions harshly, the center encourages constructive self-reflection, allowing residents to understand the impact of their actions while fostering personal growth and reducing repeat offenses.

Turning Incidents into Learning Opportunities

HFWG Center Head Marites Quisimoro shared an innovative practice adopted by the facility: residents are encouraged to write their own incident reports. This approach helps young girls reflect on their actions, fostering accountability and self-awareness.

“Trabaho naman kasi talaga ng mga HP o Mama (house parents) na magsulat ng incident reports, pero ang gusto kasi namin ay makuha at mas maintindihan din ang side nung mga bata kung bakit nila na-commit yung mistake nila,” Quisimoro explained. “Kaya bukod sa incident report na sinusulat ng mga Mama, pinapasulat na rin namin sila para mas maging personal at mas madali din ang self-reflection ng mga bata.”

Since August 2023, incident reports written by residents have included details such as the date and time, the house parent on duty, a description of the incident, resolutions, and lessons learned. These reports are then submitted to social workers for assessment and intervention.

This method offers staff deeper insights into the emotions and circumstances surrounding each incident, enabling them to address both behavior and underlying issues.

Impact on Residents

Residents, identified as Isa and Jessica (not their real names), shared how the practice has transformed their behavior.

“Dati po kasi napakapasaway ko kina Mama,” Isa admitted. “Madalas akong nabo-boring kaya ayun, lagi akong nagpapasaway.”

After writing several incident reports, Isa realized that while her actions might gain attention, they also negatively impacted her character record and rehabilitation.

“Kaya ayun po, binabawasan ko na yung pagkakamali ko,” she added.

Jessica echoed the sentiment, highlighting how writing reports taught her accountability.

“Narealize ko po na dapat hindi na inuulit yung mga pinagbabawal dito at dapat sundin ang mga rules para makaiwas sa gulo at mas maging maganda ang relationship naming lahat dito,” she said.

The effectiveness of the practice is evident in the center’s records, which show a significant decrease in incidents since its implementation.

Building Integrity and Stronger Relationships

The system has also encouraged collaboration and sisterhood among residents. When conflicts arise, the involved parties work together to resolve the issue and propose appropriate sanctions.

“Kaya sa pamamagitan nito, bukod sa natututo at naiintindihan nung mga bata yung mali na nagawa nila, natututo din silang gumawa ng sarili nilang mga actions and solutions na mas nagpapabuti ng relationship nila,” Quisimoro concluded.

Inspiring a Culture of Growth

The Haven for Women and Girls serves as an inspiring example of how reflection and accountability can empower vulnerable individuals. By helping residents understand the consequences of their actions, the center fosters values like integrity and responsibility, creating a holistic environment for personal growth and mutual respect.

The staff at HFWG hope their practice will inspire similar initiatives in other centers, demonstrating that every child’s perspective matters in their journey toward healing and empowerment.