The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) calls for the thorough implementation of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2020-001 or The Reiteration Of Protocols On Reaching Out To Children, Including Those In Street Situations, In Need Of Special Protection, Children At Risk (CAR), And Children In Conflict With The Law During The Enhanced Community Quarantine which was issued on April 6, 2020.
The JMC is a reminder to all local government units to be vigilant in safeguarding the rights of children especially when carrying out measures during the pandemic crisis such as the implementation of the curfew hours in the context of the General and Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
RA 10630 amending the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act or (RA 9344) emphasized that curfews and ordinances are established for the protection of children. As a result, their violation does not allow for punishment or imprisonment children. Instead the children will be brought back to their parents or appropriate guardian and the barangay must ensure they are provided the appropriate interventions to avoid repeat violations.
For proper handling of CAR and CICL, LGUs may refer to the Manual in Handling Cases of CAR and CICL, as promulgated by the Philippine National Police through Memorandum signed on April 25, 2016 and endorsed by the JJWC (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mdg5SIlsypV2hORFqtM2nn-aSX2B9YdH/view); and Barangay Protocol in Managing Cases of CICL and CAR, as published by JJWC issued through DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2017-43, dated March 9, 2017 and endorsed by JJWC (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UDRxH6Mu8BDDXH1cH23nmxy0trZIq0rB/view).
For more information and queries, visit the official websites of DILG (www.dilg.gov.ph), CWC (www.cwc.gov.ph), and JJWC (www.jjwc.gov.ph).
