Davao City (DSWD XI) – The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) celebrated the 10^th Anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (JJWA) with the theme “RA 9344: Isang Dekadang Pag-asa” at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier on Friday, May 20.

“Republic Act 9344 covers the different stages involving children at risk and children in conflict with the law (CICL) from prevention to rehabilitation and reintegration. To celebrate the 10^th year anniversary of its enactment, we will showcase the milestones of the law implementation and, most importantly, recognize the valuable contribution of our partner stakeholders,” said DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Administration Ma. Vilia L. Vigil.

Highlighting the event was an Artshop which aimed at encouraging youth participants to communicate and promote this year’s theme in a most creative format. Participants include children from various youth care facilities here -Poblacion A, Buhangin, Pag-asa, Agdao, Paginhawaan Drop-in Center, Talomo A and DSWD’s Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth.

The RJJWC is a policy-making, coordinating and monitoring body created for the implementation of JJWA. Its mission is to promote and protect the rights of children in conflict with the law under a restorative justice and welfare system. (DSWD)

ADVANCING R.A. 9344. Some youth participants from Davao City Poblacion A, Buhangin, Bahay Pagasa, Agdao, Talomo A, Paginhawaan Drop-In Center, and DSWD Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth participate in the Artshop at SMX, SM Lanang on Friday in celebration of the 10^th Anniversary of the Enactment of Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. Spearheaded by the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee, the event was graced by officials from Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines, CSSDO, DSWD, DILG, DepEd, DOH and CHR. Theme for the year is “R.A. 9344: Isang Dekadang Pagasa”. (DSWD)

DAVAO CITY (DSWD XI) – For a long time, Silvia Chua, 43, a mother of two children fed her family from her earnings as ‘last-two’ (betting game) coordinator. She knew full well that ‘last-two’ is illegal but she continued with the trade because of poverty.

“Kabalo ko illegal ni nga trabaho, gisudlan nako aron madungagan ang kita sa akoang bana sa iyang pagka truck helper (I know this is illegal, I took the risk to augment my husband’s earnings as tuck helper),” Silvia admitted.

“Gibuhi nako akoang pamilya sa pagiging last two coordinator, kubrador og usher. Hadlok man pero nangibabaw ang kagustuhan nako nga naay pagkaon amoang lamesa adlaw-adlaw (I supported my family as ‘last two’ coordinator, collector, and usher. It’s scary but I was resolute to put food on our table every day).”

Reformed

In 2011, Silvia decided to give up the job that put food on her family’s table to become a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiary and eventually, a Parent Leader in her community at Barangay Dumoy.

“Sauna, nagalanganin gyud ko dawaton ang programa tungod kay kabalo ko sa Pantawid bawal ang sugal og dako ang mawala sa akoang panginabuhi-an adlaw-adlaw, pero gi-guide jud ko sa Ginoo aron mabag-o ko (At first, I was reluctant to accept the program because I know that it prohibits gambling and I would lose much, but God helped me to reform).”

“Gihimo ko nila nga Parent Leader.  Dili unta ko mag-Parent Leader kay dili ko angayan, kay sugarol ko.  Nag decide ko nga i-undang ang  akoang bisyo para deserving ko sa ilaha. (They made me Parent Leader. I was hesitant for I was not worthy because of my job. I then decided to quit my vice so I can be credible).”

For Silvia’s family to survive, family members started to plant vegetables in their backyard and sell these in the nearby public market.

Eventually, with the lessons from the monthly Pantawid Family Development Session (FDS) and the guidance of Pantawid City Link, Silvia wholeheartedly embraced her being a Parent Leader.

As beneficiary and Parent Leader, Silvia diligently attends meetings and FDS and heartily imparts the values she learned from the program.

“Usa sa akoang natudlo sa akoang mga myembro ang bawal magsugal og buhi-on sa limpyo nga pamaagi ang pamilya (One of the things I taught my members is to refrain from gambling and to raise their family through legal means)” Silvia pointed out.

Silvia also serves as health volunteer in their barangay with a P 1, 000.00 monthly honorarium and actively participates in their parish GKK (Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban).

From May to December 2015, Silvia qualified and worked as DSWD Listahanan Enumerator and Validator for rural and urban areas, enabling her to send her son Patrick Sam, 18, to First Year College at Holy Cross of Davao College under the BS in Social Work program.

“Napa-eskwela nako akoang anak og isa ka semester tungod sa Listahanan. Dako kaayo ko og pasalamat sa DSWD sa tanan nga tabang nga nahatag og na-pabag-o sa akoa (I was able to support my son for one semester because of Listahanan. I am very thankful to DSWD for all the assistance and the opportunity to change),” Silvia beamed.

The family of Silvia is one of the 264,371 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Region XI.

Pantawid Pamilya is a poverty alleviation program of the national government that aims to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty of poor households by investing in human capital particularly on health, nutrition, and education of children aged 0-18.

Silvia has totally given up on gambling. She is grateful to the program and for the countless realizations she has gained from it, helping her to become a better person. (DSWD)