Newly created BBH board to meet Thursday
BACOLOD CITY -- The Bacolod Boys Home (BBH) Governing Board will meet Thursday to discuss things regarding the management, programs and operation of the institution.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued Executive Order 37 for the creation of the BBH Governing Board and signed it on September 24, 2008.
Secretary-to-the-Mayor Atty. Goldwyn Nifras said the meeting will be attended by different stakeholders such as the City Government of Bacolod, USLS, the Bacolod Boys Home Foundation Inc. and the Salesian brothers of Don Bosco who are desirous of sustaining and improving the operation of the foundation.
"I cannot preempt the topic of the meeting but I'm sure it is for the good of the institution," he added.
The Bacolod Boys Home few months ago was spoiled with different controversies after home chaplain Fr. Fernando Peralta lodged a complaint to the bishop and the mayor, alleging sexual molestations made by some employees to the boys, unaccounted budget, etc. while employees charged Fr. Peralta of having an attitude problem.
Confrontations ensued between the city and Fr. Peralta when Mayor Leonardia designated Alex Coloso as temporary administrator after OIC-Administrator was relieved from his post because of the investigation made by City Legal Office on the issues raised.
It was then settled by series of talks and Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra moderated both parties for the good of the home.
"Fr. Peralta and Coloso now are working closely for the home," Nifras said.
The board is led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia as the chairman while Councilors Celia Matea Flor, head of the committee on Family and Child Care & Development, and Homer Bais, head of the committee on Social Services, are his vice chairpersons.
The BBH is located in Brgy. Granada.
The late Rev Fr. Gratian Murray, FSC as Administrator in the middle 60s started the program when he noticed minors who were arrested by the Bacolod police were detained together with adult offenders.
Today, the home serves as an orphanage with the aim to take under its fold orphaned, abandoned and neglected boys and insuring a home atmosphere for them and adopts balanced programs for personality development and vocational preparedness.