Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee - CAR

30/11/2025

14th Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week, National Children's Month, and 18-Day Campaign to End Violence
📍 Bontoc, Mountain Province�
🗓 November 28, 2025

The Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee – CAR with the Rcat-Vawc Cordillera partnered with the Provincial Government of Mountain Province in the culmination of the 14th Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week, National Children’s Month, and the kick-off of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Children, held at the Eyeb Gymnasium, Bontoc.

Carrying the theme “JJW: Bata’y may Pananagutan, Gabay at Kalinga ang Kaagapay,” the event gathered high school students from across Mountain Province in a day of learning, awareness-building, and youth engagement activities.

Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr., through Atty. Guaye F. Moling, emphasized the vital role of children and youth in shaping communities, encouraging them to uphold values, protect one another, and take part in building a future grounded in rights and respect. Board Member Sally Ullalim likewise underscored the importance of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act and its mission of rehabilitation—giving every child a fair chance to grow, reform, and thrive.

Various youth-focused activities, with the theme "Race for Right and Run for Change", highlighted the significance of child rights, CICL rights and their responsibilities, child champions ,protection, responsibility, and restorative approaches in handling cases of Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) and Children at Risk and children in general.

This convergence stands as a reminder that every child deserves protection, guidance, and opportunities for a better future—and that the work continues with every community, family, and institution taking part.

28/11/2025

A proud moment for the region! 🎉

Congratulations, Cswd Bahay Pag-asa Baguio, for bringing home the National Winner Award for the National Search for the Good Practice for Bahay Pag-asa. Your work continues to make a positive impact on young lives and the future of juvenile justice.

26/11/2025

📣 RJJWC-CAR 4th Quarter Joint Committee Meeting
📅 November 18, 2025
📍 H100 Ecolodge, Baguio City

The RJJWC, RSCWC, and RCAT-VAWC-CAR convened for their 4th Quarter Joint Inter-Agency Committee Meeting to strengthen the implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act and work toward a brighter, safer future for every child.

Presided over by Ms. Amelyn P. Cabrera of DSWD FO CAR, the meeting highlighted a major initiative—
✨ the proposed Five-Year Research Agenda to further improve interventions for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICLs).

This research agenda aims to deepen the understanding of:
🔹 Causes and risk factors of CICLs
🔹 Protective factors that help prevent youth offending
🔹 The role of culture in shaping youth behavior
🔹 Case management and rehabilitation practices
🔹 Policy gaps and institutional support mechanisms

This initiative will be jointly implemented by the RJJWC and Benguet State University, bringing evidence-based insights to guide programs and policies for the youth. The findings will empower agencies and partners to craft interventions that are more sensitive, responsive, and impactful.

A huge thank you to our dedicated members and partners for your unwavering commitment! 💙

26/11/2025

📣 RJJWC-CAR Year-End Program Implementation Review
📅 November 4–7, 2025
📍 Sagada, Mountain Province

On November 4-7, 2025, we at the RJJWC-CAR gathered in Sagada for our 2025 Year-End Program Implementation Review (PIR)—a yearly milestone where we pause, reflect, and realign our collective efforts in implementing the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (RA 9344, as amended) across the region.

Throughout the PIR, we:
✨ Assessed our overall performance for 2025
✨ Identified best practices and challenges encountered
✨ Strengthened coordination among member agencies
✨ Set strategic priorities and directions for 2026

We also took this opportunity to honor the unwavering commitment of our member agencies whose efforts continue to protect, guide, and empower children and youth in conflict with the law. Their dedication drives the positive changes we strive for every day.

As Helen Keller perfectly said:
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Thank you to all partners and champions who journeyed with us this year. Onward to a stronger, more united RJJWC-CAR in 2026! 💙

25/11/2025

📍 Technical Session with Duty Bearers on Diversion
🗓️ November 19, 2025
📌 DSWD CAR Training Center, Baguio City

Strengthening our commitment to child-sensitive justice! 💙

Last week, the RJJWC-CAR conducted a one-day session focused on Commununity-based Diversion. The activity aimed to strengthen participants' understanding of the legal and policy framework on diversion, identify current practices and gaps and collaborate on concrete action steps to improve coordination and service delivery.

Prosecutor Benedict Pataras, Chief of the Provincial Prosecutor's Office briefed participants on the key provisions of the amended RA9344 and the diversion process. He emphasized that cases qualified for community-based diversion will be returned if they have not undergone the required due process, ensuring full compliance with the law.

Activities were conducted to help duty bearers become more familiar with common terms and the diversion process. The session concluded with identifying next steps to ensure diversion is effectively practiced at the police, barangay, and LSWDO levels.

✨ What is Diversion?
It is a child-appropriate, community-based approach used to determine responsibility and provide appropriate interventions for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICLs)—without going through formal court proceedings.
Diversion considers a child’s social, cultural, economic, psychological, and educational background to ensure supportive and rehabilitative responses.

Diversion may be implemented at the Barangay, Police, or Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) level for offenses punishable by less than six (6) years.

Together, we continue building a more compassionate and responsive juvenile justice system. 🌱💛

24/11/2025

In a recent episode of Cayetano in Action with Boy Abunda, Atty. Rafael Rivera highlighted the essence of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA), recognizing that every child can make mistakes, but is also capable of changing and growing.
The JJWA ensures that children in conflict with the law (CICL) are given a second chance through care, guidance, and proper intervention. Legal experts further explained that even without criminal liability, CICL still undergoes necessary interventions to help them take accountability and reintegrate into society.
Full story:

A viral video of a 9-year-old boy caught stealing money from a store has sparked nationwide debate. Many wondered how the law treats very young offenders. The issue was discussed in the “Tanong ng Pilipino” segment of “CIA with BA.” Legal expert Atty. Marian Cayetano clarified the matter, ci...

18/11/2025

𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 🤗

Various line agencies, civil society organizations and volunteers in costume joined the kick-off of the National Children’s Month Celebration and Juvenile Justice Welfare Consciousness Week in Baguio City on November 15, 2025.

Said activity which carries the theme “OSAEC-CSAEM Wakasan: Kaligtasan at Karapatan ng Bata Ipaglaban!” seeks to rally support among communities in protecting the welfare of children.

Attendees also expressed support by signing the “Panatang Makabata” pledge of commitment.

|

18/11/2025

Various line agencies, civil society organizations and volunteers in costume joined the kick-off of the National Children’s Month Celebration and Juvenile Justice Welfare Consciousness Week in Baguio City on November 15, 2025.

|

18/11/2025

JUVENILE JUSTICE | The Cordillera Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee (RJJWC) is proposing a five-year research agenda to elevate interventions for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICLs).

The proposal was discussed during the fourth quarter committee meeting on November 18, 2025, in Baguio City.

The proposal entails an agenda focused on causes and risk factors of CICLs, protective factors against CICLs, interaction between culture and youth behavior, case management and rehabilitation, and policies and institutional support.

The implementation will come between the RJJWC and Benguet State University.

Research findings will give concerned agencies and stakeholders a deeper understanding of social factors affecting CICLs, therefore providing decisions that are sensitive to the needs and circumstances of the benefiting sector.

|

10/11/2025