The three teenagers aged 14-17 who were caught using illegal drugs are now under the intervention program of the Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) of  Claveria, Cagayan in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Field Office II (DSWD-FO II).

According to a news report, the teens were apprehended by the police while in the process of using shabu in a small shanty near the guidance counselor’s office of the Claveria Vocational Rural School.  The law enforcers turned over the minors to the Claveria LSWDO as stipulated in Republic Act 9944 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA).

Joseph Villanueva, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO) of Claveria, has taken charge of the case, having received a court order dated July 30, 2016 for the proper disposition of the cases of the said children in conflict with the law (CICL).

Villanueva said that as early as July 30, the minors had already been released to the custody of their respective parents, but continue to be under his close supervision through regular home visits.

Villanueva added that he also helped the families reach out to the high school authorities so that the minors can continue studying.

The minors are also required to report to Villanueva every Monday as part of their case management.

The DSWD-FO II, for its part,  has also assigned a social worker to visit the families and coordinate with the MSWDO for provision of other appropriate interventions  for the minors and their families.

DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo acknowledged the prompt action of the LSWDO of Claveria on the case saying that “this kind of service from public servants is really what we need to advance the goal of the Department which is  may malasakit na serbisyo (service with compassion) for the vulnerable sectors.” ###