DSWD, JPIC agree to aid minor offenders

Cebu - The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 and the Justice Peace Integrity of Creation-Integrated Development Center recently agreed to provide more aftercare services to children who are in conflict with the law.

In this new project, JPIC through its funding partner the Germany-based Karl Kuebel Stiftung, will construct a building and fund its operation to serve children 15 years old and below who are in conflict with the law.

The DSWD shall provide the land where the building will be constructed as well as technical support in the form of trainings, technical supervision, assistance in staff recruitment and center accreditation.

Fr. Anthony Salas, the executive director of JPIC, said he is happy with the new government partnership as he has been working with DSWD in Mindanao particularly serving street children, day-care children and victims of human trafficking. 

He hopes to serve more needy children in Central Visayas and work for more sustainable programs in the future that will address the pressing needs of the poor and the vulnerable sectors.

JPIC is a faith-based Non-Government Organization organized by members of the Society of the Divine Word which envisions transforming disadvantaged societies and communities to be economically and politically empowered and live in peace based on justice and sustainable development. It also commits itself to work for a continuing participative education.

Meanwhile, DSWD-7 regional director Teodulo Romo Jr. thanked the NGO for accepting the challenge of helping the government shape the lives of poor and disadvantaged minors and empowering them towards an improved quality of life.

Under Republic Act 9344, otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice Act of 2006, children in conflict with the law shall enjoy the presumption of minority and undergo diversion programs without undergoing court proceedings subject to the conditions specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations.

The diversion program in the barangay level includes socio-cultural and psychological responses and services for children such as lectures for anger management skills, conflict resolution skills, values formation and other skills that will aid the child in dealing with situations which can lead to a repetition of the offense.

Other activities include community service and participation in education, vocation and life skills programs. — Harry Vincent H. Cañeda (THE FREEMAN)