SURIGAO CITY — A facility dedicated to the care and protection of children in conflict with the law has achieved a breakthrough that places Surigao City at the forefront of child welfare in the Philippines. The Surigao City Bahay Pag-asa has been awarded full certification by the National Authority for Child Care (NACC) for the integration of the Adoption and Alternative Child Care Programs and Services (AACCPS), making it the first facility of its kind in the country to receive this distinction.
The landmark certification followed a rigorous assessment conducted by the NACC through the Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO) Caraga on October 1, 2026. The evaluation examined the facility's compliance with prescribed standards in program management, case management, and helping strategies and interventions. Following the assessment, the Surigao City Bahay Pag-asa was found fully compliant with the standards for the implementation and integration of AACCPS, earning the coveted full NACC certification.
What This Certification Means for Child Welfare
Bahay Pag-asa is a 24-hour child-caring institution established under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. It provides temporary shelter, psychosocial interventions, education, and rehabilitation programs for children in conflict with the law (CICL) to support their reintegration into the community. The NACC certification is a regulatory and quality assurance mechanism that evaluates Social Work Agencies (SWAs) to ensure they meet the required standards in the delivery of adoption services, foster care services, residential or child-caring services, alternative child care programs, and case management for children in need of permanent family care. Earning this certification places the Surigao City Bahay Pag-asa in an elite group of facilities nationwide that have demonstrated excellence in child-centered, rights-based, and responsive social protection services. As of March 2026, only 39 facilities out of 146 Social Work Agencies implementing adoption and alternative child care had been certified, underscoring the significance of this achievement.
A Testament to Collaborative Leadership
The achievement reflects the City Government of Surigao's continuing commitment to strengthening child welfare services through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), headed by Ms. Lenie S. Liray, together with the Bahay Pag-asa management and personnel. RACCO Caraga likewise recognized the support and cooperation of the City Government in advancing the quality of care, protection, and support extended to children under the facility's custody. The NACC assessment was led by the Standards, Accreditation, and Monitoring Section of RACCO Caraga, headed by Mr. Rolando Y. Ecnad Jr., SWO III, in partnership with the NACC Standards, Accreditation, and Monitoring Division.
A Milestone That Inspires
For Surigao City, this national recognition affirms the city's unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child is protected, cared for, and given meaningful opportunities for a better future. The certification stands as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when government agencies, local leadership, and dedicated social workers come together with a shared purpose. As the first facility in the Philippines to earn full NACC certification, the Surigao City Bahay Pag-asa sets a standard for other Bahay Pag-asa facilities across the country, demonstrating that excellence in child welfare is not only possible but achievable with the right systems, dedication, and commitment to the best interests of every child.
