In pursuit to intensify child protection in the midst of the pandemic, members of the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) in the Caraga Region convened on June 02, 2020 through a video conference to discuss important matters that post challenges during the community quarantine period.
The teleconference paved way for the members of the committee to revisit the DILG-CWC Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2020-0001 stipulating the protocols on reaching out to children in need of special protection – including those in street situations, children at risk, and children in conflict with the law, during this time of crisis. The team discussed delicate concerns regarding the children’s welfare and protection, and tackle ways on how to help address these concerns during this pandemic.
Specifically, the members and their respective offices were urged to diligently share and inform the public about the existing protocols on reaching out to children in the middle of the pandemic such as, (1) Protocol for Case Management of Children Victims of Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation, (2) Protocol to Reach Out to Street Children, (3) Manual in Handling Cases of Children at Risk and Children in Conflict with the Law, (4) Barangay Protocol in Managing Cases of Children in Conflict with the Law and Children at Risk, and (4) Guidelines on the Localization of the Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children (CEPC) of RA 10821.
The committee also emphasized that Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children (BCPCs) should be aware and adept of their roles and functions in the promotion and protection of the welfare of the children in their barangays. The BCPC, the group responsible to answer the needs of the children and manage their cases, must remain increasingly active and most involved in responding to the concerns of the children in their locality.
To guarantee that BCPCs deliver quality and intensified services in addressing issues on child protection, the Provincial and Municipal/City Councils for the Protection of Children are tasked to guide and extend a helping hand to the BCPC.
Consequently, the meeting also became an avenue for the members to review the committee’s accomplishment for the first quarter of 2020.
RCWC Caraga is one of the 17 sub-national structures at the regional level commissioned to ensure that all child-related laws and measures in the country are strictly implemented and followed. The committee is composed of the National Government Agencies (NGAs), Local Government Units (LGUs), child representative from Caraga Children Advocates Network (Caraga CAN), Faith-Based Organizations, and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). (Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)
