4th Wk October is Juvenile Justice and Welfare Week

By Felipo David G. Malcampo

  

ZAMBOANGA CITY,  Oct 25 (PIA) - - celebrating the first Juvenile Justice (JJ) and Welfare Consciousness Week, the National Youth Commission (NYC) spearheads the conduct of fora and lectures, film showing and various trainings  in consonance with the week-long celebration.

Anchored on the theme “Sa 9344, Bata, Bida ka,” NYC conducted yesterday (Oct. 24) a workshop with the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Zamboanga City which tackled the Role of the SK’s in the Observance and Implementation of RA 9344 or the the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA).

The event which was conducted at the Marcian Garden Convention Center was participated in by close to 200 youth and volunteers.

“The activity aims to enlighten the SKs about their vital role in the implementation of the JJWA,” said Maricor Anne DG. Cauton of the NYC.

“The Sk being a unique government institution that caters and secures the participation of the youth on local governance should be in the forefront of the JJWA as it addresses issues involving juvenile delinquents,” Cauton added.

“The activity also aims to enlist the commitment of the youth, particularly the SK, through advocacy campaigns and programs,” she emphasized.

It can be recalled, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) expressed its opposition to the moves in Congress to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility currently set at 15 years old.

“Early this year, the NYC approved a resolution calling for a JJW Consciousness Week. The idea was to help increase awareness about JJ and enjoin all duty-bearers to find ways by which RA 9344 can be fully implemented,” said NYC Chairman Leon Flores III.

The proposal to have a JJW Consciousness Week was endorsed by the JJWC and eventually signed into Presidential Proclamation No. 489.

“This is a categorical indication of the government’s commitment to restore justice for young people and children,” Flores commented.

JJWC is composed of various government agencies to include Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Education (DepEd), Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) , Dept. of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and the National Youth Commission (NYC). (JPA/FDM/PIA-ZBST)