Parents Urged to Spend More Time with Their Children

Iloilo City (PNA) — The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) over the weekend has called on parents to spend more time with their children.

“We urge parents to spend more time to bond with their children to lessen the number of children in conflict with the law (CICL),” said Katherine Joy Lamprea of the Juvenile Justice Welfare Council, an attached agency of DSWD, during the culmination of the JJWC week with the theme, “Bata ay Gabayan, Batas sa Juvenile Justice Bigyang Daan.”

Lamprea said that most cases of CICL are theft and violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002.

“The children won’t be out of their homes in the wee hours of the evening and doing acts contrary to law if their parents are giving attention to them,” said Lamprea.

Lamprea said other CICL cases include murder, rape, and robbery.

“These children are victims of circumstances and certainly deserve a second chance in life,” she said.

Lamprea also gave the following tips to parents:

• Know your children’s friends
• Check on what the children are doing
• Be responsible in guiding the children in the proper use of technology

Among those who joined the culminating activity, highlighted by the zumba dance, were the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Commission on Human Rigths (CHR), Iloilo City government and Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) employees.

Lamprea also called on barangays to ensure the activation of their respective Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC).

As per Republic Act 9344 (Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006) as amended by Republic Act 10630, Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPC) shall be established in all levels of local government.

The local council serves as the primary agency to coordinate with and assist the LGU concerned for the adoption of a comprehensive plan on delinquency prevention, and to oversee its proper implementation.

The act also provides for one percent of the internal revenue allotment of barangays, municipalities and cities for the strengthening and implementation of the programs of the LCPC. (PNA) FFC/PGL/PR/CBF