THE Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) in Bacolod City is pushing for an intervention program for children-in-conflict with the law (CICL) and children-at-risk (CAR).
DSSD head Pacita Tero on Wednesday, July 26, said that some of the CICL and CAR are recidivists because of lack of intervention program from the Barangay Council for Protection of Children (BCPC).
The DSSD held a consultation dialogue with the juvenile justice partners in handling the CICL and CAR at the Middle Town Inn on Wednesday.
Also present were barangay officials, council heads of women and children committees, social workers and personnel of Bacolod City Police Office Women and Children Protection Desk.
Tero said the dialogue aims to determine the obligation of each stakeholder in terms of handling the CICL and CAR.
DSSD records showed that from January to June this year, 37 children were arrested for sniffing solvent in various areas as well as 24 CICL.
“It is not only the work of DSSD to handle the CICL and CAR,” Tero said.
If minors will be arrested, policemen should evaluate the offense and determine where to put the minor.
It’s either they will placed in the Social Development Center (SDC) facility or referred to the barangay, Tero said.
“If a minor commits a serious offense, he or she will brought to the SDC. If it is a light offense then, the case will be referred to the barangay to give them an intervention program,” she added.
Tero said the BCPC should carry out an intervention program for minor offenders so that they will not return to their illegal activities.
The BCPC could offer livelihood, training or medical assistance to the family of the minor offenders.
Tero said the barangay officials can make an intervention program proposal to the DSSD to address the concerns involving CICL and CAR within their areas of jurisdiction.
Under Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, it shall cover the different stages involving at risk and children in conflict with the law from prevention to rehabilitation and reintegration.
The state recognizes the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty and exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development.
Granada village chieftain Alfredo Talimodao Jr. said they have a big responsibility to the CICL and CAR within their areas of jurisdiction.
He said they need the collaborative efforts of the BCPO, social workers, and parents to rehabilitate the CICL and CAR.
