BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – Child protection, welfare, and participation highlighted the 1st Regional Children’s Congress and 16th Juvenile Justice Welfare Act Anniversary held on  May 25  at the DSWD-CAR Regional Training Center in Baguio City.
 

The  blended event attended by child representatives, students from the different secondary schools in the region, youth of the Bahay Pag-asa Centers in Baguio and Abra, and partner agency representatives,  aims to strengthen the promotion and implementation of Republic Act  9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. It  also aims to increase the participation of children and the youth in development programs and capacity building activities.

Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council Chairperson and Department of Social Welfare and Development -Cordillera (DSWD-CAR) Director Arnel B. Garcia, represented by OIC-Assistant Regional Director for Operations Amelyn P. Cabrera, highlighted the different efforts taken to ensure the protection and promotion of children’s welfare especially those at risk and Children in Conflict with the Law (CICLs).

 “For the last 16 years, there have been remarkable accomplishments of the council such as resolutions passed like establishment of the multi-disciplinary team in every province, adherence to the standard protocols in handling CICLs, strengthening of the local council for the protection of children, various capacity building activities of duty bears, member agencies, LGUs, advocacy activities in raising awareness on the juvenile laws, monitoring of jails, and the Bahay Pag-asa, and other custodial facilities among others,” she shared.

 Part of the program to empower the youth participants are talks about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children, Roles of the Youth in the Implementation of JJWA and its Salient Features, and Strengthening Mental Health on Children.

Music Festival entries from both school-based and center-based anchored on the activity's theme "Ipatupad ang Juvenile Justice and Welfare Law para sa Lahat ng Batang Pilipino" were also presented.
 

Winners were judged and announced during the activity which also served as venue for legislators, local chief executives, and committee members to express messages of support for a stronger implementation of the JJWA and for the promotion of children's rights and protection towards nation building.(JDP/JJPM-PIA CAR)