In Albay, a three-day training program recently brought together social workers and law enforcement officers from all Municipalities and Cities within the Province of Albay marking a significant step in strengthening support for Children at Risk (CAR) and Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL).
The child welfare training aims to provide participants with essential tools to effectively manage and support these at-risk children, working to prevent future offenses and promote successful reintegration.
Ms. Cea, Head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) of Albay, stressed the importance of this endeavor: “Our aim is not just to protect these vulnerable children but to give them a real chance at rehabilitation”.
The training covered a broad spectrum of topics, focusing on the psychological complexities and legal considerations involved in handling CAR and CICL cases. HLAF Executive Director Atty. Aubree Sadural highlighted the importance of respecting children’s rights from the initial contact and adhering to legal protocols. Her guidance on procedures—such as notifying guardians and using non-threatening language—was crucial for ensuring a respectful and legally compliant approach.
The participants include duty-bearers from the different Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices, City Social Welfare and Development Offices, Municipal Police Stations, City Police Stations, Provincial Police Offices, and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.
Practical exercises, including role-playing scenarios, allowed participants to apply their new knowledge in simulated situations. These activities emphasized the need for building rapport and avoiding intimidation when dealing with sensitive cases.
Among the significant takeaways was the training’s emphasis on restorative justice and diversion processes. Atty. Ma. Cristina Belardo’s discussions on these methods underscored the collaborative roles of barangay councils, law enforcement, and the judiciary in managing CICL cases. This approach aims to resolve cases without formal legal proceedings, preventing unnecessary criminal records and supporting the rehabilitation of CICL.
Feedback from participants highlighted the training’s practical impact. PMSG Ailyn C. Abac of Rapu-Rapu MPS expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to join the program. “This training was crucial for me as a WCPD Investigator. It refreshed and improved my knowledge, especially on legal insights, case management, and restorative justice,” she said. Abac noted the importance of applying these insights to work with barangay officers and BCPC members to reduce the high volume of CAR and CICL cases and help these children rebuild their lives.
PMaj Nora V. Viscaya, Albay Provincial Office praised the training for its clarity on the diversion process and handling of CICL cases
“The training enlightened us on the do’s and don’ts of managing these cases, and we look forward to using this knowledge not only as law enforcers but as responsible community members,” she noted. Viscaya, who is involved in the training of trainers for the RJJWC of Region 5, highlighted how the insights gained would benefit her work with various barangays and shelters.
Ms. Juditha M. Warasen, CSWDO, Ligao City rates the training as excellent, appreciating the practical exercises and new strategies
“This training has enhanced my skills and provided practical tools that I can incorporate into my daily responsibilities. It has exceeded my expectations and provided a common understanding on how to handle CAR and CICL cases effectively,” she said. Warasen looks forward to future trainings to further refine her skills in this vital area.
The program concluded with participants developing action plans to apply their new knowledge and improve child protection mechanisms in their areas. This initiative underscores a collective commitment to fostering a supportive environment for vulnerable children and ensuring their rights and well-being are prioritized.
In a time when protecting children’s rights is more crucial than ever, Albay’s proactive approach through this training reflects a dedication to building a just and compassionate society for future generations.
Participant’s Insights
The training was so relevant as I was handling the same and it was for the best interest of the and the most important task in relation to the designation I have, as WCPD Investigator as well. Most of the topics are refresher to me, applying the same knowledge at this work, sometimes have loopholes at minsan may nakakalimutan kami. Since may ganitong pa-training on legal insights, case management and restorative justice. It is important to us nabigyan kami ng opportunity to join. May mga bagay rin na hindi na-tackle sa ibang seminar na na-tackle sa training natin ngayon. Ito ay malaking improvement saming mga participants most especially on the aspect na minsang may mga hindi naiindihan like for example yung counterpart namin na social worker, on what we used na system like CIRAS (Online Blotter). Malaking bagay din po na maipaliwanag naming yung possible consequences when it comes to recording the details of our CAR and CICL. Thankful po kami sa HLAF na dinala nila yung training na ito kasi na-refresh and na-improve po yung aming knowledge when it comes to handling of CAR and CICL. Malaki pong bagay na mai-recho po naming ito sa barangay officers, BCPC members para ma-lessen pa ang napakataas na volume ng CICL and CAR at matulungan po ang mga batang ito na maiayos ang buhay nila. Syempre with our commitment and advocacy na pinagtutulungan malaking bagay pa rin po kung andun pa rin ang support ng HLAF.
PMSG Ailyn C. Abac
Chief of WCPD
Rapu-rapu Municpal Police Station
Participant’s Insights
This training capacitates me to be able to deal properly with CAR and CICL. Especially on the conduct of diversion process, for us enforcers it is a bit hard to understand but with this training we are aware already on how to do it particularly on the level or Brgy and PNP as well. Moreover, on the do’s and don’t’s of handling the CICL. With the help of HLAF, we are enlighten and we look forward that are this training will be useful for us not only as a law enforcer or as a member of committee working for the protection of children but as an ordinary citizen, we have responsibility in the community particularly in handling CAR and CICL, that we may able to save them and become productive member of the society. Also on my part as I am a member of training of trainers of the RJJWC of Region 5, it helps me a lot as I will be using some of the inputs here on different barangays and also in some of the shelter such as BPA for girls that sometimes we are task to conduct activities.
PMaj Nora V. Viscaya
Chief of WCPD
Albay Provincial Police Office
Participant’s Insights
If I could rate how relevant it is, I will rate 10 (excellent). I acquired new strategies and it could applied to my day to day responsibilities. The training teaches new skills that enhanced my old skills as it provides practical exercises. In my daily interactions I can advocate for the rights of children and families by being informed and vocal about their needs and rights in my community. I can incorporate what Ive learned in my case management strategies, ensuring that my practice is informed by current legal standard and restorative approaches. I really appreciate the dedication and effort of HLAF in making this training engaging and informative, their expertise truly enhances our learning experiences. They demonstrated actively the specific skills and process most especially during simulations it really help us. It actually exceed my expectation with presence of LEO, we come up with the common understanding on how we could handle properly the CAR and CICL. Looking forward for an another training related to CAR and CICL.
Ms. Juditha M. Warasen
SWO II
CSWDO, Ligao City
