“I always tell to the parents within our barangay that the child should be raised through positive discipline and love as it will be the foundation on how the child will raise his family and children as well.” (Lagi kong sinasabi sa mga maguang na nakakausap ko eh ang bata ay dapat na pinapalaki sa pamamagitan ng positibong disiplina at pagmamahal, paglaki nya ay ayon din ang pagpapalaki sa kanyang pamilya at anak.) said the Barangay Captain of Brgy. Culiat, Hon. Victor Bernardo, during his inspirational message at the first organized Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) Kamustahan by the Quezon City partner barangays of the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation-Center for Restorative Action, held at the Brgy. Culiat barangay hall last Sept. 2.
The said Kamustahan was attended by Brgy. Culiat, Brgy. Kaligayahan, Brgy. San Agustin, Brgy. Greater Lagro, Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Brgy. Balinggasa, Brgy. New Era, Brgy. Pinyahan and Brgy. Pasong Putik with the presence of HLAF Executive Director, Atty. Rommel Alim Abitria, HLAF Program Officer, Atty. Kristoffer Claudio and HLAF CRA Team, namely: HLAF Senior Social Worker, Mr. Luis Singgangan, RSW, HLAF Senior Community Organizer, Ms. Claudette Almadin, RSW and HLAF Community Organizers, Ms. Emy Torrefiel and Mr. Kio dela Peña.
“It is satisfying to attend this kind of event because it is rare to have barangays to organize events like the BCPC Kamustahan.” (Nakakaproud umattend ng ganitong event dahil minsan lang sa mga barangay ang nag-oorganize ng Kamustahan) said the HLAF Executive Director, Atty. Rommel Alim Abitria, during his inspirational message in the said event. He also mentioned that HLAF was pleased with the partner barangays that they were able to organize an event like the BCPC Kamustahan and it should be shared to others as it is proof that the barangays are doing better than HLAF.
HLAF partner barangays presented their report on the current updates regarding their BCPCs intervention program with focus on their accomplishments, future plans, youth activities and trail blazing activities. Also, some barangays shared that they’ve categorized their BCPC committees, namely: survival committee, development committee, protection committee and participation committee. The barangays then shared their experiences in implementing Ordinance No. 2301 otherwise known as “the Quezon City Discipline Hours for Minors”.
The nine barangays from Quezon City also shared their BCPCs stories. One of the success stories was about their BCPCs transformed child – how the child’s life change after BCPC intervention and how these children helps today in the activities in their Barangay.
According to Brgy. Kagawad Jose Pael, they (BCPC) will continue the crusade of advocating the rights of children in their barangay.
HLAF shared the success stories in the implementation and evaluation of BCPCs at the Quezon City with partner Office of the Vice Mayor (Quezon City). Also, HLAF supports the advocacy in juvenile justice of partner barangays in Quezon City.