A senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is urging the promotion of the Comprehensive Juvenile Intervention Program as the Department observed the 17th anniversary of the enactment of Republic Act (RA) No. 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA).

In her message, DSWD Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera, chairperson of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), stated the importance of the role of duty-bearers in the implementation of the amended JJWA.

“I hope that each of you will keep on developing and implementing your respective Comprehensive Juvenile Intervention Program, ensure the provision of preventive and responsive community-based programs on juvenile justice and welfare, and support the conduct of child-appropriate diversion programs,” Undersecretary Cabrera said.

“To our children, especially to the children at risk and children in conflict with the law, great things are ahead of you, just stay on track – take an active part in your intervention and diversion programs, listen to the guidance of your parents, house parents, and other center staff and continue pursuing your dreams,” the DSWD undersecretary pointed out.

With the theme, “Patuloy sa Pagsulong ng Pagbabago para sa Batang Pilipino,” the 17th JJWA anniversary focuses on strengthening children and young people’s participation in the JJWA advocacy.

The celebration also aims to increase the awareness of beneficiaries, stakeholders, duty-bearers and the general public on the law and its implementation, particularly on the utilization of the Juvenile Justice Management Information System (JJ-MIS), development of the Comprehensive Local Juvenile Intervention Program (CLJIP) and other necessary protocols.

The JJ-MIS is an online centralized information system that is used to collect, record, and manage data on children in conflict with the law (CICL) and children at risk (CARs), which is significant in the development of evidence-based policies and programs to support minor offenders and their families.

All local government units are enjoined to draft their CLJIP, which will serve as their guide in the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of their respective juvenile intervention programs and policies.

The DSWD and the JJWC are committed to reinforcing their initiatives to uphold the rights and welfare of CICLs and CARs by engaging with stakeholders and duty-bearers through the effective and efficient implementation of the JJWA. #