A LOCAL lawmaker is set to author a resolution urging the House of Representatives to stop the proposed bill that seeks to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility.
City councilor Eric Salcedo said he is waiting for the position paper of the City Council for the Protection of Children (CCPC) before passing the resolution.
"Magpasa ta og resolution nga mababagan ang lakang sa kongreso ug dili na idayon ang pag-ubos sa criminal age of responsibility, gahulatan na lang nako ang position paper sa CCPC," Salcedo said.
Salcedo hopes his colleagues in the city council would support his move.
Salcedo, author of the parental responsibility code of Cagayan de Oro, said holding children criminally liable at the age of 12 would destroy their future and would only worsen the problem on children in conflict with the law.
The House committee on justice amended the proposed bill lowering the criminal age of responsibility to 12, instead of nine.
But, Salcedo maintains children aged 12 still do not know how to discern the implications of their actions.
"Kung tan-awon nimo ang 12 years old wala pana kabalo kung unsa ilang sala ug looy kaayo kung mapriso sila kung makahimo sila og krimen unya isagol sa mga hardened criminals," Salcedo said.
Salcedo also said the government should focus on putting up more Bahay Pagasa in coordination with the local government units in the country.
"Dugangan unta sa gobyerno ang mga Balay Pag-asa kani ang ilang i-prioritize labi na sa mga highly urbanized cities. Hinoon sa ato diri wala man nagpasagad ang atong local nga kagamhanan," Salcedo said.
The Bahay Pag-asa is the shelter where children in conflict with the law are housed. It has a multi-disciplinary team composed of social workers, house parents, medical staff and psychologists that would administer different interventions for children.
The city has two Bahay Pag-asa where one is under construction.
In Misamis Oriental, the Bahay Pag-asa is located in Claveria town.
Provincial Board Member President Elipe said Capitol officials are eyeing to build youth centers in each town to cater to concerns of children and youth.
Elipe also opposed the proposed bill even as he call on the government to put emphasis on parental responsibility and interventions for the holistic development of children.
"Kanang 12 years old is bata pa gihapon na. Kinahanglan dut-an sa gobyerno ang parental responsibility kay atong gilantaw ang development sa bata," Elipe said.