BARANGAY Mintal was declared the national champion for the Search for the Good Practices of Local Government Units (LGU) in the Implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA) Monday, November 26.
“It took us three years, not to win the award, but ang amoa lang is masugdan namo ang CICL programs sa Mintal (It took us three years to work out the programs but it was not to win the award but for implementation),” Barangay Mintal captain Ramon Bargamento said Monday.
“Ang among pag-embrace ug pagbag-o sa pagtan-aw sa CICL started in 2015 nga sila sakit sa ulo sa barangay (It was in 2015 when we started to embrace and change our views on CICL being a burden to the barangay),” he said, adding that by next year, they will implement livelihood programs for the parents of CICL or those old enough to work already.
Following the reported zero CICL in the barangay, Baragamento said they will continue to implement programs and initiatives to help the children.
He said one of the programs that helped in the decrease was the dragon boat intervention program started in 2015.
“The dragon boat intervention program will continue but we will still find other programs to help them,” he said.
Some minors with offenses before have become leaders of some programs and are also contributing to the barangay with its CICL programs.
Bargamento said that no matter what age will be covered by the JJWA, the barangay will continue to provide intervention programs.
“Ang barangay Mintal, regardless of age scope of children, mangita gyud ug paagi to support and help CICL in the barangay level (Barangay Mintal will always make a way to help and support CICL regardless of age scope),” Baragamento said.
“Nga para makita nila na naay mutabang ug mupangga sa ilaha (This will show them that there are people who will help and care for them),” he added.