Caraga committee for children strengthens referral system of case management through EO 79
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
During the two-day RCWC capability building on February 27-28, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga as the committee chair, led the discussion and learning sessions on the newly-enacted child-related laws, including the establishment of the Mahalin at Kalingain Ating mga Bata (MAKABATA) Program and institutionalizing MAKABATA Helpline 1383.
They addressed the pressing issues and concerns on the referral system protocol and the need to push for the implementation of the Executive Order 79, series of 2024 for agencies and local government units concerned.
"With EO 79, concerned government agencies, local government units, and other member stakeholders will have to assign or designate coordinators, focal persons, and child protection officers who will receive child-related reports and complaints and refer them to the right agency with prior coordination," she said.
She, however, clarified that this EO 79 is not to supersede the existing structure and referral system protocol of the RCWC, but to make it more proactive, standardized, and effective when responding to the needs of the children.
"Based on our assessment, the existing referral pathway was found to be not realistic as this is not being institutionalized and applied during response operations. There are also instances wherein child victims were supposed to undergo or avail certain services from the agencies yet due to lack of proper coordination, there's a delay in the provision of services. These are the reasons for the establishment of this EO 79," Antoni-De Jose explained.
Protective Services Division (PSD) Chief Jessie Catherine Aranas of DSWD Caraga reiterated the newly-enacted child related laws, to include Republic Act 11908 or the "Parent Effectiveness Service Program Act," Republic Act 11930 known as the "Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act," Republic Act 11862 or the "Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022," Republic Act 11596 or "An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof,” and Republic Act 11648 known as "An Act Providing for Stronger Protection Against Rape and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Increasing the Age for Determining the Commission of Statutory Rape," among others.
"We, as duty-bearers and protector of children should be able to familiarize these laws, so that we could provide appropriate response and handle child cases accordingly," underscored Aranas.
Project Development Officer III Raffy Vigil of DSWD Caraga also stressed the significance of the roles and functions of the Regional Child Protection Working Group (RCPWG), especially during emergencies.
"The RCWPG shall meet at least twice a month at the onset of an emergency and to convene for a special meeting as deemed necessary," he said.
Meanwhile, Sheena Mae Lingeras, one of the participants representing the Caraga Children Advocates Network (CAN), expressed her deep appreciation to the efforts and initiatives of the RCWC, as it shows sincerity in securing the welfare and general well-being of the children sector in the region.
"This is my first time to attend this activity and I am delighted to have witnessed how the government and its partner stakeholders collaborate to immediately address the issues and concerns of the children," she said.
"I hope I can join again in the next meetings or activities of this committee, to be well-informed of the updates and other relevant information that I could share with my peers," added Lingeras. (JPG, PIA Caraga)
