THE Philippines officially introduced its first Women and Children Crisis Center at The Haven for Women compound in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, on Aug. 3. The initiative was made possible through a multi-agency partnership between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. (CSFI), and the Muntinlupa City Government. 

This marks a major step towards strengthening mental health and social protection for women and children in crises.

Expected to be completed by 2027, the facility will provide mental health and social protection services for women and children, including immediate crisis response, psychiatric evaluation, psychological counseling, trauma support, and long-term rehabilitation. The Alabang facility is meant to serve as a national model for future regional centers across the country.  

The center is led by the Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc. (AWLFI) Co-Presidents and Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Gina de Venecia and Bulacan 4th District Rep. Linabelle Villarica, together with project chairperson Bukidnon 3rd District Rep. Audrey Zubiri, the Lady Legislators of the 20th Congress and the Senate.

During its launch in Alabang, Rep. De Venecia stated, “This Women and Children’s Crisis Center embodies our collective commitment to protect women, restore hope, strengthen families, and ensure that no woman faces mental health challenges or crisis alone.”

Furthermore, Rep. Villarica explained that their goal is to “offer a comprehensive sanctuary where survivors receive the full spectrum of care they need to heal and rebuild their lives,” underscoring that mental health is a fundamental right every Filipina deserves.

Lead architect San Lichauco–whose major portfolio includes the Healthway Cancer Care Center, the PGH Felicidad Sy Multi-Specialty Building and the OFW Hospital in Pampanga–explained that the center connects a DOH medical facility to a DSWD dormitory.

Under the setup, individuals arriving at the center immediately undergo a medical and health evaluation phase managed and manned by DOH personnel. Once residents receive immediate healthcare treatment and are medically stabilized, they transition directly into the connected DSWD dormitory. 

In the residential area, they gain access to safe, shared spaces to receive psychological counseling, recovery support, and rehabilitation. The facility offers specialized living quarters–including 30-bed dormitories for women, dormitories for children, family rooms, and an isolation room–alongside an emergency unit for immediate, temporary stays. Communal areas and specialized spaces for recovery and development will also be integrated.