As the lead agency in social protection, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is one with Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council in its call against lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) as it spearheaded the national observance of the 5th Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week on Friday at Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City.

This year’s theme is “Rehab, Hindi Rehas: Itaguyod ang R.A. 10630,” a call to oppose the several bills filed in Congress that intends to amend the law and lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) from fifteen (15) years old to nine (9) years old.

“As many of you know, we are now facing another challenging battle in pursuing our mandate and mission,” stated Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council Chairperson Undersecretary Vilma B. Cabrera in her message during the event.

“Several bills were filed at the House of Representatives proposing to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility. We, at the DSWD and the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council advocate for the full implementation of the law instead of amending the law again,” U/Sec. Cabrera continued.

The JJWC chairperson asked for everyone’s full support in implementing R.A. 9344 as amended. She stressed that children in conflict with the law need proper care, they should not be put in jails where they are exposed to abuses and the influence of hardened criminals.

DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo has already expressed the strong opposition of the Department against the proposed lowering of the MACR. In a statement she earlier issued, the secretary said that lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility has never resulted in lower crime rates.

The welfare chief also warned that a lower age of criminal responsibility results in more children being detained; higher public expenditures; and an even higher social cost of re-offending and graver offending, which makes the measure not cost-effective.

The week-long celebration, from November 20 to 26 was highlighted by the launching of the JJWC’s Search for Good Practices in the Implementation of R.A. 9344 as Amended, a photo exhibit that shows the life of children before they came into conflict with the law as well as the rehabilitation process and its integration in the community, and the announcement of winners of JJWC’s Song Writing Competition which was participated in by the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY) residents nationwide.

Residents from RRCY Region X with their song, “Ang Pagbabago” emerged as the winner of the song writing contest. The song, “Kay Ganda Pala ng Buhay” of the residents from RRCY CARAGA occupied the second spot, while the song “Liwanag” from RRCY Region XII won the third place. The winners took home a trophy and cash prizes worth: P25,000.00, P15,000.00, and P10,000.00, respectively. ###