Bacolod City will become a learning area for other local government units for the Localization of the Comprehensive National Juvenile Intervention Program after being chosen as one of the pilot areas, Leocadio Trovela, assistant director of Interior and Local Government-Central Office, said yesterday.
Trovela said Bacolod is among the six cities as pilot areas for the program, and the role of these cities is critical because of the upscaling that will happen nationwide. This is because other LGU’s will rely on the experience of these cities in the implementation of comprehensive juvenile intervention programs.
He said all these pilot cities are recipients of the Seal of Good Housekeeping and most are recipients of the Most Child-Friendly award, and Bacolod has been a regional winner ever since. These cities are also strong in terms of their child protection programs, Trovela added.
He also said this is a project of the Department of Justice and the DILG is the chairman of the technical working group on Localization. The program was centralized during the term of the late DILG Secretary Jessie Robredo, he said.
Bacolod Mayor Leonardia signed a memorandum of agreement yesterday covering the participation of Bacolod City as a pilot area for the program in the presence of members of the technical working group of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council.
Leonardia said, “We have to assure our benefactors that we have a city that is very conscious of the welfare of its children. And we are, in fact, very flattered, very proud and inspired, that you have chosen us among the few model areas where you will implement this program.”
He also said that this brings some kind of pressure that they have to live up to, to meet the expectations of their benefactors.
The program aims to develop community-based programs for intervention, diversion and rehabilitation; development of new social technologies; and enhancement of existing programs and strategies, in handling children in conflict with the law (CICLs).
Trovela said other pilot cities are Caloocan in the National Capital Region, Naga City, Vicente Sagon in Zamboanga and La Trinidad in Benguet.
The signing of the MOA was also witnessed by Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Councilors Homer Bais, Roberto Rojas, Sonya Verdeflor, El Cid Familiaran, Carlos Jose Lopez, Al Victor Espino, Archie Baribar, Em Ang, Caesar Distrito and Catalino Alisbo, Social Services and Development head Sally Abelarde, and Sarah Vial of Verlanie Foundation.* CGS back
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