ILOILO City – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Western Visayas issued guidelines to help authorities – policemen, local officials and even concerned citizens – properly handle street children violating the quarantine curfew.
Should these children be arrested and jailed?
According to DSWD regional director Evelyn Macapobre, if the children are residents of the barangay, the following steps must be observed:
* The barangay shall take custody of the minor.
* The barangay will register the child as a “child at risk” (CAR) in its logbook.
* Information needed from the minor must be taken using the intake sheet of the barangay.
* The parents or guardians must be duly informed.
* The minor is then turned over to the parents or guardians.
If the minor is categorized as “high risk” based on the guidelines of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) as assessed by the Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO), the LSWDO will conduct an “assessment and intervention conference” and design an intervention if deemed proper.
If the minor is a non-resident of the barangay, the following should be observed:
* The barangay where the minor is found shall take custody of the minor.
* The barangay will register the child as a “CAR” in its logbook.
* Information needed from the minor must be taken using the intake sheet of the barangay.
* The child will be turned over to his/her barangay of residence.
If the parents or guardians cannot be located, the child will be turned over to the LSWDO.
“We are recommending that local government units designate ‘activity centers’ where street children and their families have a shelter to stay,” said Macapobre.
She urged the authorities to call the DSWD regional office should there be queries through (033)-503-3797 or Facebook: @rscwc6 or DSWD Western Visayas.
It is the obligation of parents, law enforcers and barangay officials to protect the rights of children by observing this protocol, stressed Macapobre.
“The best thing to do now is for children to stay at home and respect the curfew hours,” she added./PN
