Strengthening The BCPC For The Welfare of The Children

STRENGTHENING
|THE BARANGAY COUNCIL FOR

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN
FOR THE WELFARE
OF THE CHILDREN
Marie Christine P. Chan-Tayo

University Researcher I
National College of Public Administration and Governance
Center for Local and Regional Governance
STRENGTHENING THE BCPC Page 2
STRENGTHENING THE BARANGAY COUNCIL FOR PROTECTION OF CHILDREN

FOR THE WELFARE OF THE CHILDREN
Abstract
This exploratory study aims to determine the significant difference between how the
different Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) operate and determine the
factors that affect the functionality of the BCPCs in Quezon City.
This study used the following methods: (1) survey questionnaires for different
barangays in Quezon City; (2) interview with the different Key Informants from barangays
Balingasa, Culiat and Tatalon in Quezon City.
This exploratory study shows that there are differences in interpretation and adaptation
of Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act, in terms of sending reports on the
number of Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) and terms used for the crimes committed.
This study also shows the differences in conducting intervention programs and the result and
effect to the CICL. Furthermore, this study shows the importance of capacity-building and the
effect of partnership with Non-Government Organizations and other private entities.

STRENGTHENING THE BARANGAY COUNCIL FOR THE PROTECTION OF

CHILDREN FOR THE WELFARE OF THE CHILDREN
With the increasing and recurring news of minors getting involved in different crimes,
lowering the age of criminal liability to nine (9) years old has been a major topic of debate in
the Congress this year. This has been supported by several congressmen and senators and by
the president of the country. However, various groups, experts and stakeholders were against
the lowering of the age of criminal liability and urged the government to hear and examine the
experiences of the local government units (LGUs) who are the frontline implementers of
Republic Act 9344, otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act (JJWA).
The main issue raised by various groups is the knowledge of relevant laws and RA 9344
itself at the barangay level. The Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) is a
local special body in the barangay level established in accordance to Section 15 of RA 9344
and Article 359 and 360 of Republic Act 386 or The Civil Code of the Philippines. The BCPC
is responsible in protecting the welfare of the children and the youth and should be composed
of responsible members of the community including a representative of the youth.
The National Capital Region (NCR) has a total population of 12.8 million based on the
2015 Census, with Quezon City being the largest city in NCR in terms of population with a
total of 2.9 million or 23 per cent of the total NCR population. Quezon City has a total of 142
barangays with 6 districts. Out of the 142 barangays, there are 76 barangays recorded with
Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) for the first semester of 2019, according to the report
provided by the Social Services Development Department (SSDD) of the Quezon City
Government.
DISTRICT I DISTRICT IV
CICL (SSDD) CICL (SSDD)
BARANGAY BARANGAY
Jan-Jun 2019 Jan-Jun 2019
Bagong Pag-asa including NorthTriangle - West Portion 10 Central including East Triangle -East Portion 1
Bahay Toro 11 Damayang Lagi 3
Balingasa 1 Kamuning 1
Damayan 2 Kaunlaran 3
Lourdes 1 Kristong Hari 1
Manresa 5 Krus na Ligas 9
Mariblo 1 Malaya 1
N. S. Amoranto (Gintong Silahis) 2 Obrero 2
Paltok 3 Pinagkaisahan 1
Ramon Magsaysay 1 Pinyahan including East Triangle West Portion 4
Salvacion 2 Sacred Heart 2
San Antonio 1 San Isidro 2
San Isidro Labrador 1 San Martin de Porres 8
San Jose 1 San Vicente 1
Santo Cristo 1 Santo Niño 4
Veterans Village 1 Tatalon 16
DISTRICT I TOTAL 44 U. P. Campus 5
Valencia 1
DISTRICT II DISTRICT IV TOTAL 65
CICL (SSDD)
BARANGAY
Jan-Jun 2019 DISTRICT V
Bagong Silangan 5 CICL (SSDD)
BARANGAY
Batasan Hills 11 Jan-Jun 2019
Commonwealth 11 Bagbag 9
Holy Spirit 7 Capri 2
Payatas 14 Fairview 7
DISTRICT II TOTAL 48 Greater Lagro 1
Gulod 21
DISTRICT III Kaligayahan 3
CICL (SSDD) Nagkaisang Nayon 4
BARANGAY
Jan-Jun 2019 North Fairview 6
E. Rodriguez 5 Novaliches Proper 1
East Kamias 1 Pasong Putik Proper 5
Escopa IV 3 San Agustin 4
Loyola Heights 2 San Bartolome 2
Marilag 1 Santa Lucia 1
Matandang Balara 14 Santa Monica 12
Pansol 3 DISTRICT V TOTAL 78
San Roque 9
Silangan 2 DISTRICT VI
Socorro 3 CICL (SSDD)
BARANGAY
West Kamias 1 Jan-Jun 2019
DISTRICT III TOTAL 44 Apolonio Samson 6
Baesa 16
Culiat 12
Pasong Tamo 11
Sangandaan 1
Sauyo 12
Talipapa 2
Tandang Sora 9
Unang Sigaw 2
DISTRICT VI TOTAL 71
Figure 1. Quezon City Social Services Development Department Children in Conflict with the
Law Report from January to June 2019
Minors or children under the age of 18 may be referred to as juvenile offender, youth
offender, young offender or is generally referred to as Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL)
defined as “a child who is alleged as, accused of, or adjudged as, having committed an offense
under Philippine laws” according to RA 9344. According to Intersect Quick Facts (2016),
CICL are usually male, aged 14-17 years old, has low educational attainment, uses drugs and
alcohol, belongs to a family of six and is mostly charged with property-related crimes. They
may also come from families that has no stable income, whose parents are separated or
characterized by domestic violence. Meanwhile, data presented during the Juvenile Justice
Implementers Congress (2017), that as of March 2017, based on age group of CICL and CAR,
showed that 2% is below 9 years old, 7% is 9 to 11 years old, 43% is 12 to 15 years old and
48% is above 15 years old but below 18 years old. But on total crimes committed of both adult
and children, only 2% was committed by children.
Research Design
Based on the survey conducted and interviews of different BCPCs in Quezon City, the
researcher attempted to identify the different factors that affect the functionality of the
BCPCs. To further look into the data of CICL and different BCPCs in Quezon City, the
researcher identified barangays with recorded CICLs with at least 60,000 population and
barangays with recorded CICLs with known functional BCPC and barangays not known to
have a functional BCPC from the data gathered from the SSDD of the Quezon City
government. Barangays with known functional BCPC are those included in Humanitarian and
Legal Assistance Foundation’s (HLAF) Tatak Barangay Practice Contest during their annual
BCPC Congress.
Sampling
Purposive sampling was used in choosing research participants. They were selected
based on population, number of CICLs and BCPC functionality. There were sixteen barangays
that were chosen to participate in answering survey questionnaires but the actual barangay that
answered the survey questionnaires were eleven in total. Among the eleven barangays that
responded, three barangays were chosen to be further interviewed and if possible, observed as
these barangays are similar in terms of population and number of CICLs recorded. However,
among the three barangays chosen, two barangays have incomplete Key Informants during the
scheduled days of visit.
Data Collection
In order to properly determine the participants for this research, initial data of barangays
with recorded CICL for the first half of the year 2019 was requested by the researcher from the
SSDD of the Quezon City government and disaggregated population data per age bracket and
gender was requested from the Philippine Statistics Authority. From the information received,
sixteen initial barangay participants were determined based on the total population and number
of recorded CICL.
To make sure that the initial sixteen barangays receive the survey questionnaire, the
researcher sought the assistance of the Barangay and Community Relations Department
(BCRD) of the Quezon City government in distributing the letters and survey questionnaires.
The survey questionnaire contained basic questions on barangay demographics, their BCPC
and number of recorded CICL, classified per nature of case from year 2017 to August 2019.
Based on the returned survey questionnaires, the researcher identified three barangay
participants for the interview and observation. The key informants from the three barangay
participants were the following:
1. Punong Barangay
2. Barangay Kagawad – Barangay Council for the Protection of Children
3. Barangay Secretary
4. Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman
5. Barangay Council for the Protection of Children Focal Person
6. Chief Tanod (Ex-O)
A letter requesting for an appointment of visit and interview was sent to the three
barangays through the assistance of BCRD to ensure receipt of the letter. Consent to conduct
the interview was also obtained from the key informants upon interview.
Each interview lasted for about 15 to 40 minutes depending on the key informant, as
the questionnaire for the Barangay Kagawad and BCPC focal person are longer than the others
and depending on their response to each question.
Documents regarding the three barangays’ BCPC, such as Executive Order on the
composition of the BCPC, program and budget allocation, were also collected.
Data Analysis
An inductive strategy was used in analyzing gathered data. This strategy notices pattern
from the given data that may suggest useful concepts, that can be a start of an analytic path
(Kin 2018). For ethical considerations and in compliance with R.A. 9344, in maintaining the
privacy of the CICL, pseudo names were used in this paper.
To analyze the data gathered, the transcribed interview was reviewed, and important
and common statements were noted and tabulated. and narrative and numeric data were
combined. Emergent themes were identified from the statements noted, and the different
themes connection with each other was identified as well. The themes that were identified are
used as the basis for understanding the level of functionality of the different BCPCs.
The Three Cases
Barangay Balingasa
Barangay Balingasa is in the 1st District of Quezon City, with a land area of 78.76
hectares. The incumbent Punong Barangay is Ms. Ma. Teresa V. Montalbo. Based on the 2015
Census, Barangay Balingasa has a total population of 20,609 or 1% of the total population of
Quezon City, from the total population, 36.06% are minors and 51.27% of which are male.
Sex
Age Bracket Total
Male Female
0-4 1,762 917 845
5-9 1,820 919 901
10-14 1,760 906 854
15 - 19 2,084 1,065 1,019
20 - 24 2,150 1,053 1,097
25 - 29 2,019 1,047 972
30 - 34 1,806 894 912
35 - 39 1,526 772 754
40 - 44 1,359 662 697
45 - 49 1,225 626 599
50 - 54 963 474 489
55 - 59 797 385 412
60 and above 1,324 532 792
Figure 2. Barangay Balingasa disaggregated population data per age and gender as of 2015.
On the day of the visit, Punong Barangay Montalbo was in the barangay hall however,
she is not available for interview as she is about to leave for an appointment. The Chief Tanod
is also not available as they were responding on a ‘riding in tandem’ incident in an area, and
when the researcher returned the following day, the Chief Tanod is still not available to be
interviewed. Also, the Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman is not available as he is still at school.
Despite the absences of three of the Key Informants, the researcher was able to interview the
Barangay Kagawad for the BCPC, Mrs. Ma. Nenita Magdaraog, the BCPC/VAWC volunteer,
Mrs. Josephine de Leon, in lieu for Mrs. Fe Gallego the BCPC focal person and the Barangay
Secretary, Mrs. Chriselda Reyes.
Barangay Council for the Protection of Children is present in Barangay Balingasa, but
does not have their own office or desk in the barangay hall. The BCPC is composed of the
following members:
Chairman: Ma. Teresa V. Montalbo Punong Barangay

Members: Ma. Nenita C. Magdaraog Barangay Kagawad
Antonieta Limpahan Barangay Nutrition Scholar
Jane Besas Barangay Day Care Worker
Marissa Sanguyo Barangay Health Nurse/Midwife
Leticia Perez Barangay Health Worker
Jerome Orjalesa Teacher
Purificacion Montalbo Chief Tanod
Aaron Eser SK Chairman – Child Representative
Sheryl Aniceto PTA President/ Representative
Violeta Dimal NGO/ PO Representative
The BCPC hold meetings quarterly, as mandated by law and conducts special meetings
as the need arises. BCPC key persons such as the Barangay Kagawad Member and BCPC focal
person participated in different capacity-building programs related to R.A. 9344 such as
gender-sensitivity program, strengthening the BCPC, harassment/ anti-bullying, teenage
pregnancy, how to handle CICL cases and how to conduct counselling to minors, conducted
by various institutions such as the Quezon City government and other Non-Government
Organizations.
Barangay Balingasa as mentioned by Mrs. De Leon, has zero recorded CICL for two
straight years now. When asked further about the reason, she said that they receive complaints
from their constituents regarding minors who committed a crime and the complainants file a
blotter but does not push through with the case. Since there was no case filed, they do not
record and report this as a case involving a suspect that is minor. Mrs. De Leon is in-charge of
handling and monitoring cases, while Ms. Fe, the BCPC focal person is in-charge for the
documentation, in quests and blotter. When a minor is brought to their office or reported to
them, they interview and investigate the child together with its parents, but if the parents or any
guardian is not available, they will just get the details of the child and bring the child directly
to his house since they are not supposed to detain the child. Such reports are submitted quarterly
by the BCPC focal person to the Barangay Secretary for submission to the BCRD.
Barangay Balingasa have several intervention and diversion program for the children
and the youth. If a CICL is out-of-school, they would enroll the child to the Alternative
Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education or enroll to the nearest school
whichever is applicable. They also do counselling and sometimes include the children in
barangay programs or gatherings.
As a preventive measure, they conduct tutorial services held at the barangay public
library for children starting 6 years old every summer by the month of April and May to prepare
the children before the start of the school year. This program aims provide access to quality
education and to promote children welfare and protection.

Mrs. De Leon shared a success story of one former CICL from their barangay, whom
we will call “Boy Molave”. Boy Molave has been admitted in Molave Youth Home twice,
before the barangay council decided to acquire Boy Molave as a volunteer in the barangay. He
was assigned as the Assistant Custodian in the barangay hall, and his father, a drug-user that
surrendered, was also acquired by the barangay as part of their Special Operations Group
(SOG). While Boy Molave was working with the barangay, he continued his studies and has
recently graduated and now working on a Business Process Outsourcing company. Meanwhile,
his father is still part of SOG and both their lives were changed for the better.
Barangay Culiat
Barangay Culiat, the fourth largest barangay in District 6 in terms of land area is 251.66
hectares, with a total population of 74,304 as of 2015 Census. Barangay Culiat is headed by
Punong Barangay Victor Bernardino who is currently in his second term. 36.56% of the total
population of the barangay are minors and 51% of the minors are male.
Sex
Age Bracket Total
Male Female
0-4 6,416 3,358 3,058
5-9 6,364 3,292 3,072
10-14 6,650 3,365 3,285
15 - 19 7,697 3,755 3,942
20 - 24 8,118 3,947 4,171
25 - 29 7,377 3,664 3,713
30 - 34 5,964 2,930 3,034
35 - 39 5,477 2,630 2,847
40 - 44 4,608 2,230 2,378
45 - 49 4,226 1,994 2,232
50 - 54 3,638 1,691 1,947
55 - 59 2,925 1,379 1,546
60 and above 4,748 2,037 2,711
Figure 3. Barangay Culiat disaggregated population data per age and gender as of 2015.
On the scheduled day of visit all the Key Informants were present and in one room
waiting for their turn to be interviewed by the researcher. This made the interview process
easier as everyone in the room are aware that they will be interviewed about BCPC.
Barangay Culiat’s BCPC is one of the top BCPCs in the country, earning awards from
different award giving bodies such as Galing Pook and HLAF. Their BCPC also has its own
office sharing with the Women’s Desk at the ground floor. The members of their BCPC are as
follows:
Chairperson: Victor D. Bernardo Punong Barangay

Co-chairperson: Cristina V. Bernardino Barangay Kagawad
Members: Jesusa Montoya Barangay Nutrition Scholar
Susan Avery Barangay Day Care Worker
Leonila San Miguel Barangay Health Midwife
Marissa Lou Rodriguez Principal, Culiat High School
Apolonio Bernardo Executive Officer – BPSO
Marissa Suhaili Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson
Sherwin Bumanglag Children’s Representative
Anilyn Bernardo PTA President, Culiat High School
Fr. Ritchie Gier Religious Representative
Ma. Teresa Cabagua PO Representative
Ma. Victoria Raya Women’s Desk Officer
Melbrian Añoza Youth Organizer
Dr. Lourdes Sarmiento
Atty. Lourdes Barbado-Hipe
They hold their regular quarterly meeting and conduct special meetings as the need
arises. They also have a weekly meeting, but it is only between the BCPC co-Chairperson,
Kagawad Cristina “Nanay Bebang” Bernardino and the three case managers. The case
managers are the BCPC volunteers available twenty-four hours a week, and they work on shifts
daily. These case managers are the one who really monitor the cases of the children, not just
the CICL but the minor victims as well. They properly document all cases and even accompany
the children wherever they needed to be accompanied. Aside from the three case managers,
they also have ten active BCPC purok leaders who monitors their respective areas.
The members of the BCPC have attended several capacity-building programs
conducted by the Quezon City government and partner NGOs. Barangay Culiat is in
partnership with International Children’s Action Network (ICAN), Child Rights Coalition
Asia, Philippine Educational Theater Association, United Nations International Children's
Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Tulay ng Kabataan, Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation
(HLAF), Council for the Welfare of Children, Plan International, Philippine Legislators'
Committee on Population and Development Foundation (PLCPD), NoBox Transitions
Foundation, Fernwood Gardens, Miriam College, Far Eastern University and De La Salle
University.
Aside from partner NGOs, the BCPC also works together with their Barangay Anti-
Drug Abuse Council (BADAC), co-chaired by Barangay Kagawad Ahmeerah Ibrahim, the
only Muslim Barangay Kagawad in Quezon City. The BADAC conducts drug-prevention
education and after-care to the youth.
They reported ninety-two CICL cases for year 2019, reports are handled by the case
managers. They are also the one who get the statements from the children and explains
thoroughly the options and consequences of the incident. Barangay Culiat however has a very
strong advocacy for the children which led them to coming up with Tara! Usap Tayo: A
Community Engagement Program. This program aims to protect the children and the youth,
develop talent and knowledge of the children, and increase the awareness of the community on
the importance of R.A. 9344. This program has five activities namely, Bata Batuta Anak
Teatro, Pisara ng Buhay, Kwentong Buhay (Justice and Healing sessions), Kalinga ng Culiat
sa Batang May Pangarap and Children Not Criminals Campaign. The barangay council’s focus
is the children, most of their projects are children-centric, because they believe that it would
help them have their barangay a better and safe future.
They shared the story of Rene Inso, a former CICL when he was fifteen years old. They
never gave up and lost hope on Rene, they included Rene in all their intervention programs just
to reform him and make him a better person. Through their council’s effort, Rene was
recognized as the “Mukha ng Gumagalaw na BCPC ng Quezon City”, his story was featured
in Inquirer, he also became a street educator on HIV.
Although not all stories have happy endings, they also have unsuccessful interventions.
There was this one case who they sent to a rehabilitation center because the child was drug
dependent. They even gave him a job in the barangay hall just to help him change. He was
rehabilitated but after some time went back to using prohibited drugs. The last information they
heard about the child was he is in the province now.

During the interview, Nanay Bebang called in “Ang Pinagpala” a youth who just went
out of Molave Youth Home but is still under probation. Ang Pinagpala stayed in the Molave
Youth Home for seven months and returned home last 11 September. He shared his
unforgettable experiences at the Molave Youth Home, first was the youth home is full of bed
bugs and what they call “3-2-1”, or three tabo of water used in taking a bath. First tabo is for
the first splash of water, the second tabo is for rinsing and the third is for final rinsing. He said
that they are too congested in the youth home and it is very hot in there. They get punished for
minor mistakes and everyone gets punished even if only one committed the mistake. Now
under the care of Nanay Bebang, Ang Pinagpala, joined the Anak Teatro is part of the show
“Like the Molave”, they were also taught to make handicrafts from scrap cloths. During the
interview, Ang Pinagpala was very meek and shy, but is openly answering questions and
sharing his experience.
When Nanay Bebang was asked, despite their awards and recognition as being the best
BCPC in the country for having effective programs for the children, why do they still have a
significant number of CICL, she paused and said “Bakit nga ba? Iyan din ang tanong ko eh.”
Furthermore, she added that efforts from the barangay is not enough if the family is not okay.
It still boils down to the family. According to Nanay Bebang, they conduct livelihood programs
for the mothers, specially housewives, such as handicraft making, so they have their own source
of income.
Barangay Tatalon
Barangay Tatalon, stands in a 96.26 hectare land located in District 4, Quezon City,
headed by Punong Barangay Rodel N. Labo. Barangay Tatalon’s population of 63,129 based
on the 2015 Census is 2.15% of Quezon City’s total population. 38.93% of the total population
are minors and more than half of the minors are male.
Sex
Age Bracket Total
Male Female
0-4 6,175 3,158 3,017
5-9 6,124 3,129 2,995
10-14 6,045 3,111 2,934
15 - 19 6,219 3,167 3,052
20 - 24 6,853 3,557 3,296
25 - 29 6,189 3,135 3,054
30 - 34 5,303 2,688 2,615
35 - 39 4,905 2,565 2,340
40 - 44 4,167 2,140 2,027
45 - 49 3,372 1,671 1,701
50 - 54 2,570 1,271 1,299
55 - 59 1,905 892 1,013
60 and above 3,267 1,335 1,932
Figure 4. Barangay Tatalon disaggregated population data per age and gender as of 2015.
The Punong Barangay, on the day of interview, was at the hospital and the Barangay
Secretary, Ms. Susana Oranga is on leave until the end of the year since she is out of the
country, Barangay Kagawad for BCPC, Ms. Eufracina de Jesus is at work and the Sangguniang
Kabataan Chairperson is at school. In behalf of the Punong Barangay and the Barangay
Secretary, the Barangay Administrator and the Asst. Secretary respectively, accommodated the
researcher’s interview.
Barangay Tatalon’s BCPC office is shared with VAWC and PWD office at the ground
floor of the barangay hall. Their BCPC is composed of the following members:
Chairperson: Rodel N. Lobo Punong Barangay

Co-chairperson: Eufrecina T. de Jesus Barangay Kagawad
Members: Mylin Miranda Focal Person
Mylin Dollente GAD Coordinator
Ma. Victoria Jose Barangay Treasurer
Elvira Parallag Barangay Nutrition Scholar
Merlin Cadena Day Care Worker
Jasmin Maestre Lupon Tagapamayapa Member
Evelyn Javier Lupon Tagapamayapa Member
Alexis Reynaldo Santos, II SB Appropriation
Elpidio Jamito Tanod Executive Officer
Sean Michael del Rosario SK Chairman
Herminia Morante VAWC Desk Officer
Evelyn Galang Representative from Women’s Organization
Marlyn Sas Representative from Women’s Organization
Liezl Maribao Barangay Health Worker
Susana Oranga Barangay Secretary
Ma. Victoria Jose Barangay Treasurer
Barangay Tatalon’s BCPC hold their meeting twice a year, every June and December,
but hold their meeting almost every month because of Ordinance Number SP-2301, S-2014 or
the Ordinance Setting for a Disciplinary Hours in Quezon City for Minors, because the newly-
appointed deputy commander of PNP Station 11, wanted to strictly implement the disciplinary
hours ordinance and to eventually let the parents of children caught be seriously liable.
Their BCPC members have attended various capacity-building programs related to
R.A. 9344 such as detailed procedure in handling CICL, how to create and conduct intervention
and diversion programs, conducted by the Quezon City Social Services Development
Department and seminars on sexual abuse and psychological training on how to handle cases
of minors.
Tatalon reported thirty-six CICL cases for the year 2019 which mostly are violation of
R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. It was mentioned by the Mrs. Miranda
the BCPC focal person and Mr. Lobo, the Barangay Administrator that their main problem
with the minors, mostly aged eight to twelve, is sniffing solvent. Reports on cases involving
minors are directly handled by the BCPC, minors that are brought to the BPSO office are
directly directed to the BCPC office for proper handling. The BCPC volunteers make sure that
at least one of the parents or the guardian of the involved minor are present during questioning.
There are cases that they endorse directly to the Philippine National Police (PNP) such as
physical abuse cases. However, based on the data from SSDD, they have sixteen recorded
CICLs which is not equal to the count they provided in the survey questionnaire. Mrs. Miranda
mentioned that sometimes when the PNP receive cases involving suspects that are minor, they
directly endorse the minors to the Molave Youth Home and not to the barangay, thus the
discrepancy in the report.
As intervention program for the CICL, they are asked to have a diary notebook, wherein
they would write down what they have been doing and their thoughts. The objective of this
task is to monitor what they are doing and to make sure that they are being productive every
day. If the minor will be enrolled to the Alternative Learning System if needed to ensure that
he will get the education that he needs. But if the CICL committed a crime again, he will be
referred to a social worker to assess further his case. A few years back, the barangay is in
partnership with PETA in conducting theater and arts program for the youth, however this was
discontinued due to unknown reasons. They also tried to establish a ‘Mother Support Group’
which aims to support and educate mothers on how to properly raise their children, and a
‘Youth Support Group’ wherein both were not implemented due to lack of support from the
constituents themselves.
Mrs. Miranda and the whole of the BCPC of Barangay Tatalon have a strong advocacy
for the children in protecting their rights. She shared an incident involving their previous BCPC
focal person and the PNP, wherein the PNP would want to detain the minor just to teach him a
lesson for stealing three hundred fifty pesos. The BCPC focal person argued with the PNP to
protect that right of the minor and that is not the right procedure in handling cases involving
minor. Furthermore, Mrs. Miranda shared her opinion about the Molave Youth Home, she
thinks that it is better that the children in Molave Youth Home be separated or groups according
to the crimes the committed. Because for her, mingling minor crime offenders to major crime
offenders is not healthy as there would be comparison and idea of other type of crimes would
be fed into the minds of the other child offenders in the youth home. She also thinks that there
should be an open and voluntary communication between BCPC and the social worker assigned
to the child that the BCPC endorsed, to keep the BCPC in the loop of the status of the case and
the development of the child.

Barangay Administrator, Mr. Lobo shared his frustrations on why they cannot detain
or endorse to shelters minors that are caught sniffing solvents. He is firm on wanting to make
parents of caught minors violating the law to be held liable, “Nakakapagod din yung
magnanakaw, ipapasok mo, makakalabas tapos magnanakaw ulit. Pwede bang managot ang
mga magulang? Mga dapat na problema na sila ang nag-aayos dahil problema yan sa pamilya,
eh barangay ang sumasalo ng problema.” And this leads to his opinion that there are parents
who do not know how to be a parent, who do not know how to raise their children and how to
earn a living to be able to provide for their family’s needs.
Emergent Themes
No Reporting Standard
Every barangay in Quezon City are required to submit quarterly report to the BCRD,
thus the BCPC are also required to submit their report to their Barangay Secretary on a quarterly
basis.
One of the noticeable discrepancies in the data is the different number of CICL of the
barangay from that of the SSDD. Though it was not clear where the SSDD gathered their data
or if the BCRD shares the report from the barangay to SSDD.
Terms used on the different types of cases are not uniform, that can result to different
interpretation of every reader. Because of this there would be no accurate data on the number
of youth offenders of a certain crime.

Criteria or understanding in counting a reported case as a CICL case is also unclear, for
instance Barangay Balingasa does not include in their CICL report cases wherein the
complainant did not pursue the case while the other barangays included in their report all cases
involving minors.
No Programs for Parents
It has been mentioned in all three barangay cases that the family or parents of the
children have a role in their children’s decision in life. All three barangay respondents
mentioned the importance of the family and the parents’ knowledge on raising their children,
however none of the barangays have programs for parents or soon-to-be-parents. Some have
livelihood programs mostly for the mothers, but none have programs for responsible
parenthood, which is very vital in raising a child.
Partnership with Different Non-Government Organizations
Barangays Balingasa and Culiat are in continuous partnership with HLAF, while
Barangay Tatalon is no longer in partnership with PETA. HLAF is known to be an advocate of
children’s rights and supports BCPC by providing capacity-building training for them.
Barangay Culiat particularly has several NGO partners that help them in conducting programs
for the children and the youth.
Getting assistance from government and non-government organizations can be a great
help for the BCPCs especially in conducting intervention and diversion programs since it has
financial implications.
Continuing Education
Out of school child offenders are enrolled back to school to ensure that they finish their
studies and they are being productive as well. Being at school everyday would keep the child
preoccupied and would be guided properly at school.
Inclusion of the Children in Conflict with the Law in the Barangay as Volunteer
Barangays Balingasa and Culiat both shared success stories of some of their CICLs, in
which some became part of the barangay as volunteers. Such type of intervention can be helpful
for the BCPC as they can closely monitor the development of the minor and give them a second
chance to be trusted by giving them a responsibility.
Conclusion
The purpose of this study is to determine the significant difference between how the
different Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) operate and determine the
factors that affect the functionality of the BCPCs in Quezon City. The study found that the each
BCPC has different understanding of what is expected from them and different form of
reporting.
Common understanding of a law and how to implement is also crucial. Using uniform
terms for cases would help report making easier for the BCPC and data on CICL and the crimes
being committed would be more accurate. Moreover, having accurate data would lead to better
understanding of the profile and issues that needed to be addressed and will in turn lessen the
number of children committing crimes.

Furthermore, the study also found that the BCPC is fully aware that the family has a
vital role in shaping the child’s character but there are not many programs or activities for the
parents or the family.
The children as they say is our future, and children in conflict with the law are
misguided children who needs support and guidance from adults, especially their family. But
if their family fails to do their role, it is the society’s responsibility to help the misguided child.
As what Hilary Clinton said, “It takes a village to raise a child”, having programs for the parents
such as livelihood and parenting programs is a way to help the parents fulfill their obligation
to be responsible parents to their children.
The research also shows the importance of capacity-building and partnership of the
BCPC with other institutions to have a better understanding and properly implement the law
and programs for the children. The common concern of the local government, especially the
barangay, in implementing programs is the lack of budget. Partnership with other institutions
can address the lack of budget for BCPC programs. Partner institutions can also help in building
the capacity and competency of the BCPC. In this way the BCPCs will be well-equipped and
more effective in fulfilling their mandate.
Lastly, the research also shows that the continuation of education and entrusting a task
or responsibility to a child is an effective intervention. Giving a task or responsibility to a child
gives them a boost in their confidence as they feel that they are being trusted. This would also
give the child something to do instead of staying out in the streets.

This research shows mainly the importance of capacitating and supporting our
Barangay Council for the Protection of Children. Before having effective programs for the
children, the people working as part of the barangay’s BCPC should be well-equipped with
knowledge and skills in performing their duties, in turn this would result to better programs for
the children and their family. The local government should aim on providing thorough
capacity-building for the BCPC, this could be by allocating bigger budget for the trainings and
seminars, getting into partnership with Non-Government Organizations or private entities to
help the BCPCs. Recognizing performing BCPCs would also encourage them to continue in
providing good programs for the children and the family and inspire them to continue and excel
in what they are doing. In this way, we will be able to support our children and be able to give
them better and brighter future ahead of them.

References
Adhikain Para sa Karapatang Pambata. (2004). Research on the situation of children in
conflict with the law in selected Metro Manila cities. Quezon City: Save the Children
UK.
An Act Lowering the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility Amending for the Purpose
Sections 6, 20, 20-A, 20-B and 22 of Republic Act No. 9344, as amended, otherwise
known as the “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006”, and for other purposes, S.
2026, 17th Cong. (2018).
Benard, B. (1991). Fostering resiliency in kids: Protective factors, in the family, school and
community. Minnesota: National Resilience Resource Center, University of
Minnesota
Bilog, F.E. (2014, June). Implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006
(RA 9344: Inputs to policy amendments. Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary
Research 2(3).
Children and the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR): Why the MACR should
not be lowered. (2016, September). Intersect Quick Facts, 3(2). Retrieved from
http://www.jjcicsi.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IQF-Vol-III-No-2-MACR.pdf
Department of Interior and Local Government, Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council. (2015).
Guidelines for the local government units on the development of the comprehensive
local juvenile intervention program (CLJIP). Retrieved from
http://www.jjwc.gov.ph/download/guidelines_manuals/JJWC-
DILG%20Guidelines%20for%20LGUs_Localization%20of%20the%20CNJIP.pdf
Department of Social Welfare and Development. (2018, November 29). DSWD, JJWC
recognize LGUs with best practices on helping children in conflict with the law.
Retrieved from https://www.dswd.gov.ph/dswd-jjwc-recognize-lgus-with-best-
practices-on-helping-children-in-conflict-with-the-law/
Department of Social Welfare and Development. (2017, November 27). DSWD, JJWC push
for restorative justice for children in conflict with the law. Retrieved from
https://www.dswd.gov.ph/dswd-jjwc-push-for-restorative-justice-for-children-in-
conflict-with-the-law/
Galing Pook Foundation. (2017). Galing Pook Awards 2017: Ten outstanding local
governance programs. Retrieved from
http://www.galingpook.org/Websites/GalingPook/images/GP_Magazine/Galing%20P
ook%20Awards%202017%20Magazine.pdf
Galing Pook Foundation. (2018, October 12). 10 outstanding LGUs recognized at 25th
Galing Pook Awards. [Press Release]. Retrieved from
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1768834
Juvenile [Def. 1]. (n.d). In Collins Dictionary. Retrieved January 14, 2019, from
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/juvenile.
Juvenile Justice Implementers Committee. (2017, June 1-2). In Documentation Juvenile
Justice Implementers Congress: Emerging issues on juvenile justice in the
Philippines. Juvenile Justice Implementers: Quezon City.
Kin, R.K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods. Los Angeles:
SAGE Publications.
Localizing child protection: does the Local Council for the Protection of Children matter?.
(2010). The Filipino Child, 7. Retrieved from
https://www.unicef.org/philippines/brief07_fnl.pdf
Philippines. (2006). Republic Act No. 9344: An act establishing a comprehensive juvenile
justice and welfare system, creating the juvenile justice and welfare council under the
department of justice, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes.
Philippines. (2012). Republic Act No. 10630: An act strengthening the juvenile justice
system in the Philippines, amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 9344,
otherwise known as the "Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act Of 2006" and appropriating
funds therefor.
Roxas, J.T. (2016, June 5). DILG urges LGUs to adopt juvenile intervention program. GMA
News Online. Retrieved from
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/568828/dilg-urges-lgus-to-adopt-
juvenile-intervention-program/story/
Tanner, O.C. (n.d). The psychological effects of workplace appreciation & gratitude.
Retrieved from https://www.emergenetics.com/blog/workplace-appreciation-
gratitude/

Strengthening The BCPC For The Welfare of The Children

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Strengthening The BCPC For The Welfare of The Children

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

STRENGTHENING

|THE BARANGAY COUNCIL FOR

Marie Christine P. Chan-Tayo

STRENGTHENING THE BARANGAY COUNCIL FOR PROTECTION OF CHILDREN

factors that affect the functionality of the BCPCs in Quezon City.

Balingasa, Culiat and Tatalon in Quezon City.

effect of partnership with Non-Government Organizations and other private entities.

STRENGTHENING THE BARANGAY COUNCIL FOR THE PROTECTION OF

of responsible members of the community including a representative of the youth.

and children, only 2% was committed by children.

scheduled days of visit.

participants were the following:

and depending on their response to each question.

privacy of the CICL, pseudo names were used in this paper.

The Three Cases

Secretary, Mrs. Chriselda Reyes.

Chairman: Ma. Teresa V. Montalbo Punong Barangay

person participated in different capacity-building programs related to R.A. 9344 such as

gender-sensitivity program, strengthening the BCPC, harassment/ anti-bullying, teenage

barangay programs or gatherings.

education and to promote children welfare and protection.

Chairperson: Victor D. Bernardo Punong Barangay

The members of the BCPC have attended several capacity-building programs

Asia, Philippine Educational Theater Association, United Nations International Children's

Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Tulay ng Kabataan, Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation

Committee on Population and Development Foundation (PLCPD), NoBox Transitions

education and after-care to the youth.

help them have their barangay a better and safe future.

in Inquirer, he also became a street educator on HIV.

heard about the child was he is in the province now.

sharing his experience.

Chairperson: Rodel N. Lobo Punong Barangay

Their BCPC members have attended various capacity-building programs related to

discrepancy in the report.

the development of the child.

earn a living to be able to provide for their family’s needs.

or if the BCRD shares the report from the barangay to SSDD.

of youth offenders of a certain crime.

No Programs for Parents

parenthood, which is very vital in raising a child.

Partnership with Different Non-Government Organizations

Barangay Tatalon is no longer in partnership with PETA. HLAF is known to be an advocate of

for the children and the youth.

Getting assistance from government and non-government organizations can be a great

preoccupied and would be guided properly at school.

chance to be trusted by giving them a responsibility.

number of children committing crimes.

parents or the family.

to be responsible parents to their children.

more effective in fulfilling their mandate.

or responsibility to a child is an effective intervention. Giving a task or responsibility to a child

give the child something to do instead of staying out in the streets.

seminars, getting into partnership with Non-Government Organizations or private entities to

them better and brighter future ahead of them.

Adhikain Para sa Karapatang Pambata. (2004). Research on the situation of children in

2026, 17th Cong. (2018).

community. Minnesota: National Resilience Resource Center, University of

(RA 9344: Inputs to policy amendments. Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary

local juvenile intervention program (CLJIP). Retrieved from

Retrieved from https://www.dswd.gov.ph/dswd-jjwc-recognize-lgus-with-best-

governance programs. Retrieved from

Galing Pook Awards. [Press Release]. Retrieved from

Juvenile Justice Implementers Committee. (2017, June 1-2). In Documentation Juvenile