The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) organized the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee (JJWC) for the CALABARZON region (Region IV-A) during a meeting called last November 21, 2014 by the DSWD Field Office IV-A.

The JJCW promotes the rights and welfare of children at risk and in conflict with the law under a restorative justice and welfare system.

Among the member-agencies of the committee are the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the Department of Health (DOH), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the National Youth Commission (NYC).

In her message, Dir Leticia T. Diokno of DSWD Field Office IV-A, who is the chair of the committee, emphasized the importance of addressing the issues affecting the children in conflict with the law (CICLs).  She also stressed the importance of ensuring the functionality of the local councils for the protection of children as a preventive measure to the problem of juvenile delinquency.

Aside from the organization of the Regional JJWC, the member-agencies were also oriented on the amended Republic Act No. 9344, which is the Republic Act No. 10630 known as “An act strengthening the Juvenile Justice and Welfare System of the Philippines.”

During the meeting, the committee agreed to focus on the thrust and priorities including coordination for plan and policy formulations, advocacy and mobilization of resources, technical assistance to intermediaries with emphasis on the capability building activities of both law enforcement officers and social workers with focus on the CICL case management.

Specifically, these thrust and priorities include advocating for the Juvenile Justice and Welfare System; clarification of functions between the WCPD and LSWDO; data Profiling of Children at Risk (CAR), Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), and Children in Armed Conflict (CIAC), the strengthening of Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) and the establishment of BAHAY PAG-ASA Center.***