BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here stresses the importance of providing emotional support to children in conflict with the law who are undergoing rehabilitation.
“Aside from the interventions being provided by the rehabilitation centers, support from the family and the community can help the children cope with the process,” Novelia Naisod shared.
Naisod is also the Center Head of the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY) of the DSWD located in Sablan, Benguet. The RRCY is a facility designed to provide intensive treatment in a residential setting for the rehabilitation of CICL whose sentences have been suspended. It serves as a nurturing out-of-home placement for children in need of rehabilitation.
“We want the CICLs to be rehabilitated and be reintegrated into the community through various activities like spiritual enhancement, psychological and educational services and others, but putting them in the center is the last resort. Let us be reminded that there are other ways of helping these children through community-based intervention and diversion programs”, Naisod added.
Aside from center-based treatment, there are also community-based intervention programs for CICLs.
“Not all CICLs are required to go to the centers. The children could stay in the community subject to an assessment of the gravity of their case by our social workers. Through a program designed and implemented in partnership with the barangay government and the local social welfare and development office, the children are guided towards their rehabilitation”, Naisod added.
Since January 2016, 26 clients were served in the RRCY of the DSWD. Three (3) of the cases have been dismissed by the court, seven (7) discharged for trial reintegration, and one (1) client discharged for drug rehabilitation.
“Though these children have committed activities against the law, they are in some ways victims too. We try our best to provide them the interventions they need to be reintegrated into their communities as productive members. We ask the support not only of their families but most especially, the communities that they are in because these children deserve a second chance”, Naisod added.
The RRCY caters to CICL aged 15 years to not more than 18 years old male, who have committed an offense and ordered by the court to undergo rehabilitation. CICL who are on suspended sentence may, upon order of the court, undergo any or a combination of disposition measures appropriate to their rehabilitation and welfare.
By Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva
