Transformative program for children at risk pushed

The City Council currently lobbies an ordinance establishing a transformative program for children at risk to help curb the number of Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL).

Under the Committee on Peace and Public Safety under Councilor Maria Belen Acosta with the Committee on Women, Children, and Family Relations under Councilor Avegayle Ortiz-Omalza, proposed the said ordinance, which is set for second reading next session.

“Mayor Sara (Duterte) talked to me about this whether it is possible to have an ordinance for children at risk of becoming CICL. The purpose for this is to help them at an earlier stage so they will be prevented from becoming CICL,” Acosta said.

According to Acosta, most of the programs implemented by the national and local social welfare agencies are focused on CICL.

“Most of the transformative programs are designed only when they have already committed crimes. What the mayor told me is before they can commit malfeasance and be categorized as CICL, transformative programs are already in place,” she said.

The ordinance will be the legislative basis for the necessary budget of the programs that will focus on prevention rather than rehabilitation.

In the committee report, the City Social Services and Development Office also attested that most of its programs in place are leaning more towards CICL.

The Women’s Desk of the Davao City Police Office also expressed its support to the proposal and as stated in the report, “there were cases involving children as the principal perpetrators or as an accessory to the commission of the crime”.

The City Children and Women Center also voiced its support to the initiative confirming that there are various forms of violence where specific protection policies and mechanisms are necessary because it may affect a child’s physical, emotional and social well-being. (Julianne A. Suarez)