DSWD gets P5.2-M fund for repair of CICL center
The Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 has received a P5.2-million budget for the repair of its center for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL).
The Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth, a facility for CICL managed by DSWD 6, will undergo another round of repair after the DSWD central office released funds for the purpose.
“We are glad the DSWD central office saw the need for RRCY’s improvement. This is only reflective of the department’s quest that all of its centers and institutions will be really `Centers of Excellence’,” DSWD Regional Director Minda Brigoli said.
Brigoli visited the RRCY recently and inspected the areas that will be prioritized for repair. She also checked the children’s lockers and comfort rooms.
“Part of the discipline that we are teaching the children is keeping their comfort rooms clean without any foul odor, and seeing to it that their things are in proper places. I found their lockers in order with clothes properly folded and things neatly arranged,” she said.
RRCY Center Head Rosario Silla said priorities for repair are the dining hall for children, warehouse, sleeping area, and the staff office space.
“We want to provide the best facilities possible for our children. Coupled with proper case management, we aim to rehabilitate them and guide them back to the society. They, too, deserve to discover their potentials and have a good future,” Brigoli said.
CICL CASES
From January to June this year, the RRCY served 36 children. Rape tops the offenses committed with seven cases, followed by frustrated murder, murder, and robbery.
Nine of the 36 were discharged recently. Of the 27 remaining, 15 come from Negros Occidental while four are from Iloilo; Aklan, three; Capiz, three; Antique, one; and Guimaras, one.
Brigoli has tasked the Technical Assistance Division-Planning Unit to look deeper on the situation in Negros Occidental involving CICL. She named Victorias City as one of the frequent sources of CICL brought to the RRCY.
“As we try to establish a clear picture of the Social Welfare and Development Situation in Western Visayas, I think it is best that we should look into Negros Occidental, specifically Victorias City. The bulk of the residents of RRCY comes from this place,” Brigoli said.
The high reported cases of CICL could also be attributed to the good case management and prompt response of the Local Social Welfare and Development Office.
“The fact that the children were brought to RRCY is an indication that the LGU is looking into their welfare,” Brigoli said.
Brigoli instructed TAD Chief Rebecca Geamala and Planning Unit Head Delia Villa-Bagolcol to study and analyze the causes of the CICL cases in Victorias.
