Lived Experiences of Youth in Palawan Bahay Pag-Asa Rehabilitation Center: Insights for Program Enhancement

Abstract

This study explored the lived experiences of youth in the Palawan Bahay Pag-asa Rehabilitation Center and generated insights for enhancing its existing rehabilitation program. A qualitative phenomenological design was employed with fifteen purposively selected youth residents who had direct experience of the rehabilitation process. Data were gathered through one-on-one, face-to-face interviews using a validated semi-structured interview guide and were analyzed using Colaizzi's descriptive phenomenological method. The findings showed a gradual transition from initial fear, uncertainty, homesickness, and prison-like expectations toward adjustment, more positive perceptions of the center, and personal and behavioral development. Major challenges included family separation, adjustment to institutional rules and routines, interpersonal conflict and peer influence, restricted movement, and continuing emotional self-regulation. Informants coped through productive, academic, recreational, creative, reflective, spiritual, and problem-solving activities, together with support from family members, peers, staff, and social workers. Support was multidimensional and included guidance and counseling, practical care, legal and educational assistance, psychosocial services, family involvement, peer relationships, spiritual activities, and basic-needs support. Based on these findings, Project Bahay Kalinga was developed to strengthen intake and adjustment support, technical-vocational opportunities, physical facilities and living conditions, family involvement and reconciliation, and inclusive psychosocial, values-oriented, and spiritual support. The study concludes that youth rehabilitation is an individualized and multidimensional process requiring coordinated institutional, family, educational, psychosocial, developmental, and community support to promote personal growth and successful reintegration.