Monday, June 09, 2008 Reactivate councils for kids, Margot asks barangays
ALL 80 barangays have been asked to reactivate their respective council for the protection of children (CPC), as Cebu City strives to be the country’s most child-friendly city.
Margot Osmeña, the mayor’s wife, personally asked barangay captains gathered in last Saturday’s Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) general assembly to help. But, she said, their goal is to better serve the children, not because the City wants the reputation of being child-friendly.
“Ni-anhi ko para sa mga bata, not for anything else…. I must say we have advanced so much, but I ask you to help me fight the fight,” said Margot, co-chairperson of the Cebu City Task Force on Street Children (CCTFSC).
“Walay rason nga dili ta kadaug sa (There’s no reason we won’t win) most child-friendly city. This is not because of pride, but because we are doing it for the kids,” she said.
Amazed
Margot said some recent visitors were amazed that the City came up with a mobile school and a summer camp for all street children.
She said Cebu City has won the distinction region-wide, and will gun for national recognition.
Before she and City Commission for the Welfare and Protection of Children (CWPC) Executive Director Annabeth Cuizon showed up at the assembly, at least 31 barangays asked the CWPC for a reorientation.
Cuizon later said that they decided to instead cater to all barangays after many of the officials showed interest.
Mambaling Barangay Captain Rodolfo Estella, though, complained that tanods are hesitant to go after minor offenders because of the Juvenile Justice Act.
Juvenile Justice Act
Republic Act (RA) No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, mandates that children in conflict with the law will be made to undergo a diversion program that will involve their family, community and local barangay officials. Jail detention should be the last resort.
The law sets at 15 the maximum age of exemption from criminal liability, which means that cases against children 15 years old and below at the time of the commission of the crime will immediately be dismissed.
The child will be referred to a local social welfare and development officer, who will determine whether to release the child to the custody of his parents, or refer the child to a community-based reintegration program.
Minors above 15 are also exempt from criminal liability and be subjected to an intervention program unless he or she “acted with discernment.”
Cuizon said they will just have to orient Mambaling officials of the proper procedure. (RHM)
