A new proposed ordinance seeks to improve the child justice system at the local level by implementing training for barangays on the formulation of Comprehensive Local Juvenile Intervention Programs (CLJIP) and child rights-based local ordinances. Once enacted, it will be called the CLJIP Rollout Ordinance.
Authored by Councilor Elmer Datuin, the proposed ordinance aims to equip barangay councils, particularly their Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPC), with the knowledge and tools to create and implement CLJIP and child-rights based ordinances to ensure that children, especially children at risk (CAR) and children in conflict with the law (CICL), are protected and supported through better local programs.
Under the ordinance, sessions aimed at capacitating the barangay officials will be organized by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Individuals required to participate in the training are the punong barangays, barangay kagawads, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairpersons, barangay secretaries, and Civil Society Organization (CSO) representatives.
The training is broken down into five modules:
Gender Awareness Orientation which aims to integrate gender sensitivity into the juvenile justice and welfare programs to ensure equal treatment and protection for all genders;
Introduction to CAR and CICL principles, frameworks, and interventions which provides an overview of the principles and legal frameworks surrounding CAR and CICL and focuses on interventions that uphold their rights and well-being;
Formulation of a CAR-CICL Informed CLJIP which guides participants in developing CLJIP that address the specific needs and circumstances of CAR and CICL in their communities;
CLJIP Mainstreaming to the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) and Local Development Investment Plan (LDIP) which teaches participants how to integrate CLJIP into broader local development strategies and budgets and ensures the sustainability of juvenile intervention program; and
Institutionalization of CLJIP which focuses on making CLJIP a permanent part of local governance and ensures that the program is effectively implemented and continuously improved over time.
To support the implementation of the ordinance, the CSWDO is required to allocate at least P300,000.00 in its annual budget, or more if necessary, to cover the costs associated with training and program implementation.This budget allocation ensures that there are financial resources dedicated to rolling out and sustaining the training and its outcomes.
The proposed ordinance has been approved on first reading by the Baguio City Council and referred to the Committee on Social Services, Women, and Urban Poor for review. -Jordan G. Habbiling
