SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna—The San Pablo City Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development in Calabarzon, and the City Social Welfare and Development Office have reviewed the governing rules and salient features of the Juvenile Justice Law or Republic Act 9344.
The council, composed of village leaders and representatives from the police, women’s and children’s protection desk, barangay children’s protection council and local agencies engaged in children’s custodial and protection, is trying to craft a three- to five-year Comprehensive Local Juvenile Intervention Program.
City Mayor Loreto Amante hoped for stronger collaboration among concerned agencies and private sector organizations in crafting a comprehensive juvenile program to look after the children’s welfare and keep the youth from infractions and undesirable acts.
The Social Welfare and Development Office, which handles cases of children in conflict with the law, took the lead in the orientation on the Juvenile Justice Law implementing rules, including the amendments stipulated in the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee under Republic Act 9344.
As part of the plan, a community-based program led by the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) in collaboration with other concerned agencies will be formed.
The local juvenile intervention program includes three levels. The primary level will determine the root cause the offense of the children, the secondary level will respond and assist children at risk, and the tertiary level will assure children offenders will not be subjected to the formal justice system and avert young recidivists or repeat offender for lack of custodial supervision.