Malate, Manila – In accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 489, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee (JJWC) celebrated the 4th Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week’s Kick-Off event, Monday, Oct. 19, at Century Park Hotel Manila.

Proclamation No. 489 dated October 12, 2012 entitled, “Declaring the Fourth Week of October as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness (JJWC) Week” aims to heighten the awareness and counsciousness of Filipino people about the rights of Filipino Children including Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), responsbility of all stakeholders and all duty bearers in ensuring the protection of Filipino youth and children.

During the Kick-Off event, participants of Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) also showcased their talents and skills.

RRCY members sang, danced and performed their heart out: offering their presentation to their family and friends, and to the social workers and other stakeholders who helped them reach their zenith potential and achieve lives full of hope.

DSWD Usec. Parisya H. Taradji, together with Atty. Tricia Clare A. Oco, DSWD MiMaRoPa Regional Director Wilma Naviamos, and Police Supt. Sofronio Bumalay, initiated the ribbon cutting for the Exhibit of Products and Artworks of RRCY Residents and selected CICL.

Asked what differentiates 4th JJWC from previous celebrations, Usec. Taradji said, “ 4th JJWC is different because this is the first event which includes the amendment of Republic Act No. 9344 (Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006), streghthening  the juvenile justice in the Philippines. Also, this celebration is bigger!”

RA 9344 provides that children 15 years of age and under at the time of the commission of the offense are exempt from criminal liability.

Psupt. Bumalay accentuated the Philippine National Police (PNP) Manual on the Management of Cases of Children in Conflict with the Law. “Crafting of the manual is essential because this will serve as guide to various agencies in protecting CICL,” said Psupt. Bumalay.

The theme for the 4th JJWC is “Bata ay gabayan, batas sa Juvenile Justice Bigyan Daan”.

JJWC is composed of various government agencies to include Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Education (DepEd), Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) , Dept. of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and the National Youth Commission (NYC). ###