In line with the mandate of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to protect and empower all vulnerable sectors, especially children and youth, it continuously implements programs and services to realize this goal.
Part of the rehabilitation process of children in conflict with the law (CICL) is helping them achieve self-sufficiency by providing them with life skills which will help them cope once they are reintegrated with their families and communities.
In Western Visayas, the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY) of DSWD FO VI recently organized a Career Planning Workshop for its CICL residents “as part of our effort to continue our long-term key objective to prepare the youth for their future economic independence,” said Susan Mogato, RRCY Head Social Worker.
The workshop was facilitated by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) trainers who motivated the youth to reflect on their professional career path and develop a well-orchestrated plan.
The RRCY residents were also taught on how to construct a profile that highlights their individual qualifications, skills and job visions, as well as exploring different occupational alternatives that will utilize their learnings while inside the center.
RRCY’s Social Welfare Officer II, June Tercena, said that this kind of activity not only serves as an intervention which enable the youth offenders to restore their social functioning but more importantly, prepare them for their future economic independence – an important factor for them to live a normal life and become a productive member of the community and society.
DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo encourages these types of activities for RRCY residents and CICL.
“Mahalagang mabigyan ng oportunidad na makapagbagong buhay ang ating mga kabataang naligaw ng landas, dahil sila mismo ay biktima ng pang-aabuso at kapabayaan ng kanilang mga magulang o ibang tao (It is important to provide juvenile offenders with opportunities to help them transform their lives, because they themselves are victims of abuse and parental neglect),” Sec. Taguiwalo said.
RRCY is a residential facility that provides care and rehabilitation to CICL who are 9-17 years old. The facility provides overall programs and services that include social (group counseling and therapy sessions), home life (chores, personal hygiene), productivity (skills training), educational (non-formal and formal education and alternative learning system), spiritual, and psychological.
DSWD manages 16 RRCYs nationwide. The Department also conducts continuous implementation of community-based programs or services like the Unlad Kabataan Program, Parent Effectiveness Services (PES) and Empowerment and Re-affirmation of Parental Abilities (ERPAT), as well as development of social technologies to improve services in center-based and community based services. These include Youth Productivity Services, Time-Bound Case Management, Children’s Participation, Transitional Living for Effective Re-Integration of CICL, among others.
No to lowering of minimum age of criminal responsibility
Meanwhile, the DSWD remains firm with its position opposing the lowering of minimum age of criminal responsibility as the government entity tasked to protect and promote the rights and welfare of children. The Department adheres to the policy in the best interest of the child, hence, it believes that all efforts must be exhausted to ensure that the government provides protection for children against all forms of abuse, including putting juvenile offenders in jails together with adult criminals.
Moreover, the Philippines is a signatory to important international treaties and covenants related to the recognition and protection of children’s rights, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and most importantly the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). ##
