Puno said aside from the juvenile facility in Taguig, two new detention centers for those charged with violation of the anti-illegal drugs law have been completed in Laguna and Cebu and will be fully operational soon.

The DILG secretary said the completion of the CICL youth center in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig was in compliance with a new law ordering the segregation of juvenile offenders from adult prisoners and their rehabilitation and eventual release to the custody of their parents or guardians.

The CICL facility in Bicutan is now home to an initial 268 juvenile offenders.

"I have already ordered the BJMP to immediately transfer all CICL still detained in city and municipal jails all over Metro Manila to the youth facility in Bicutan," Puno said.

He added that the construction of the new jail facilities is in line with heightened government efforts to improve the conditions of inmates and address the worsening problem of jail overcrowding.

The three new facilities under the administration of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) were built, he said, with the help of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), which provided a R100-million support fund for its construction – on orders of President Arroyo.

The youth facility for CICL at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan sports a new look, which is a far cry from the prison-like atmosphere of ordinary jails and detention centers. "This new home for juvenile offenders looks more like a school, with colorful murals on its walls and spacious dormitories for its occupants," Puno said.

Puno had ordered the speedy renovation of this Camp Bagong Diwa facility in keeping with Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, the law recently signed by President Arroyo mandating transfer to such youth homes of CICL who are 15 years and one day to 18 years of age and their immediate release to parents, close relatives or other guardians of those who are 15 years of age and below.

Instead of jail wardens, Puno said that guardians fondly called "Tatay" or "Nanay" supervise the CICL in the Bicutan youth home. These guardians are actually social workers.

rom the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the agency tasked to oversee the counseling and participation in diversion programs of CICL under RA 9344.