ABSTRACT
The BCPC was established to establish order and social protection within the community with a focus on children. However, there are still numerous problems despite its legal structure. The objectives of this research were to ascertain the adherence level to BCPC’s activities at Barangay A, assess the implementation of BCPC policies, find out issues faced during implementation, and suggest a program design to address these challenges. For this study, a descriptive research design was used along with an adapted questionnaire from DSWD. The respondents of the study include women and child protection desks (WCPD), social workers, PNP officers, barangay officials as well as other stakeholders in Daraga Albay Province. From what has been studied so far it can be deduced that BCPC functions are generally observed and policies implemented although there are some barriers associated with them. Therefore, this calls for programming initiatives like workshops geared towards improving the implementation of BCPC as well as dealing with the identified shortcomings.
Keywords: Community Council, Adherence, Implementation, Hindrances
INTRODUCTION
According to the Council of Europe, Child Protection is a regional driver in promoting a culture of zero tolerance of any form of violence against children underlined by the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children. The Children's Rights Division and the PACE, jointly with Wilton Park, organized an international assembly in protecting children from violence. The occurrence brought together 50 parliamentarians and senior stakeholders from local to international level in 18 countries to ventilate the strategic focus of actions needed to protect children from violence. In addition to taking stock of advances made in combating violence against children in the past 10 years and compensation of challenges ahead, discussions included the extensive spectrum of the Organization's actions in the area It also bear the identification of eminent challenges, opportunities and the strategic focus of else actions to make fast the implementation of pledge at state level. The Council of Europe has developed close synergies and co-operation at global level. The Organization supports in many ways the high time spearhead to end violence against children, which offers at global level one tribune for governments, organizations, institutions, children and adults to reveal their pledge to children's liberty from violence and support initiatives to preclude and respond to violence (Stanley, 2017).
Due to the increasing number of children exposed to child abuse and neglect, both the private and non-government sector of Australia, together with the National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing, implemented a wide-range national approach. It aims to protect Australian children from abuse and neglect. The National Framework of Australia outlines an aiming long term national approach to specify the safety and well-being of Australian children. Further, it aims is to serve a genuine and persistent response in levels of child abuse and neglect over time. It has crafted National Framework with series of action plans. The four key antecedence of the Fourth Action Plan are: (1) to regulate development for native and Torres Strait Islander children who are at risk of entering or in contact with child protection systems, (2) improve prevention and early intervention through link service outline and interest, (3) improve outcomes for homeless children by increase placement firmness through reunification and other permanent care options, and (4) improve organizations' power to keep children and young people safe from abuse (Australian Government and Department of Social Services, 2018). ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Jan 30 (PIA)-- The Isabela City Council for the Protection of Children (CCPC) is figuring better child protection programs for 2019 in order to maintain the Ideal level of functionality.
The pressure is high for the community to sustain all activities especially in generating support from various organizations and institutions directly implementing programs for children, like the social welfare department, Child Fund Philippines, the Department of Education, labor department, and the city police office, among others.
During the recent meeting, Arnel Alvarez of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) reminded the council to create a task force that would monitor the functionality of the Community Committee for the Protection of Children (BCPC).
To fully evaluate the functions of BCPC, Child Fund Philippines suggested that the task force must seriously look into the different programs and activities implemented as well as to document how the BCPC responds to current issues affecting children in their communities.
Aside from checking on the community commitment on the welfare of children, the council also looks to increasing the documentation and formulation of policies on child survival, development, protection, and participation, and to submit the same for resolution to the Sangguniang Panlungsod. It is also gathering documents and accomplishment reports for the upcoming assessment in April, this year (Philippine Information Policy, 2019). In cooperation with DILG and other authorities concerned, the City of Iloilo, organized a some workshops for the BCPC. In cooperation with the authorities involved, the workshops seek to enhance the function of BCPCs in addressing the necessities of Children in Conflict with the Law and Children at Risk cases in all stages. In the community level, the council members are guided on how to respond and to manage cases. They are also taught on manage the one percent allocated fund of the community for the full implementation and full usage of budget intended for programs, projects and activities of children. Nevertheless, there are communities that do not know how to operate their funds. The activity also serves as venue to inform the community level on related policies. With this, they would like to institutionalize reporting and management mechanisms to focus on initiatives of local communities. According to the Ms. Gizon, the focal person of Child and Youth Welfare Program of the City Social Welfare and Development, the role of the BCPC is significant since there are cases involving children in the city. She agreed that the role of the BCPC is significant since there are cases involving children in the city. The Iloilo City BCPC is composed of the Community Chairman, chairman of the Committees on Health, Education and Family, Community Secretary, a child representative and concerned government agencies. (Lena,2018) The local government of Magallanes manage a seminar workshop on ratification and capability building, chaired by Hon. Mayor Augusto Manuel M. Ragragio. The said activity aims to enhance the technical assistance and functionality of the BCPC. The discussions focused on the presentation of the situational analysis of children phase thru the Comprehensive Local Juvenile Intervention Program re-orientation of RA 9344 and the roles and responsibilities of BCPC. The BCPC members were facilitated in making their situational analysis of children in their own barangay as well as in making their development investment plan for children. Meanwhile, school heads and teachers in charge and coordinators of schools' Child Protection Committee was involved for the same cause such as a meeting-dialogue on Strengthening Linkages and Coordination System towards the goal of achieving a child-friendly municipality of Magayagayang Magallanes (Ortega, 2019).Market Area Poblacion, formerly Dist. 1, is a community in the municipality of Daraga, in the province of Albay. Its population as determined by the 2015 Census was 2,681. This represented 2.12% of the total population of Daraga. Combining age groups together, those aged 14 andbelow, consisting of the the young dependent population which include infants/babies, children and young adolescents/teenagers, make up an aggregate of 27.64% (741). Those aged 15 up to 64, roughly, the economically active population and actual or potential members of the work force, constitute a total of 66.54% (1,784). Finally, old dependent population consisting of the senior citizens, those aged 65 and over, total 5.82% (156) in all (PhilAtlas, 2021).
In the present situation, Market site has juveniles commonly involve in crime. Mostly are simple crime but needs to be given such intervention and monitoring. Parents are called by the MSWD since the total custody are in their hands. According to the MSWD there are a lot of problems and hindrances in term on the implementation of said BCPC that affects the delivery mode of functions. This was the reason for the researcher to study and assess the implementation of BCPC in Market Site Daraga Albay.
Routine Activity Theory believes that crime is committed due to the presence of opportunity and not because a person is experienced in criminal activities. According to Miller (2004), opportunity for crimes emerge if the target is unguarded or vulnerable. Hence, the increasing number of unguarded properties or homes, the growing number of susceptible targets and possibilities of direct contact between the target and offenders increase the chance of crime opportunities. The mentioned environment and situation decrease the capable guardians in preventing criminal activities.
Another theory that this study considered is the Systems Theory. The theory helps in understanding the components and dynamics of clients to effectively interpret the problems. It provides organizing conceptual model for understanding events that aims to develop balanced intervention strategies. It is an organizational theory that looks at interactions between systems (ResearchGate, 2017)
The System Theory represents the BCPC wherein this should develop a balance intervention strategy in the community. Children in conflict with the law will be protected and will help to develop in a positive way and will be accepted by the 15 community if all the functions of BCPC are successfully implemented and fully acted. System theory guides in developing balanced intervention. Children who are not being protected because of absence of capable guardian are the suitable target. If these program of BCPC will be fully implemented and all the hindrances will be addressed, children will be protected, becomes productive and enjoy their childhood. No children will live miserable. Instead of fear, chaos, hunger and malnutrition they will live happy. As they grow, these programs and advocacies will be their guide to share with others. System Theory is covered by the Routine Activity Theory to prevent, develop and enhance the ability of parents to guide their children in times of conflict.
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