Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday called on all stakeholders to enhance the implementation of Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA), to give children in conflict with the law (CICL) a chance to rebuild their lives as responsible individuals.

According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao stated that the JJWA cannot serve its purpose if the policies, interventions, and systems meant to protect the children are not continuously improved and strengthened.

"We urge all duty bearers, from the national and local government officials, law enforcement agencies, social workers, and community leaders, to work together to properly implement the JJWA. By proper implementation, we mean providing adequate resources, sustained capacity-building for personnel, continuous coordination among agencies, and the active involvement of communities in creating a safe and supportive environment for CICL," Dumlao emphasized.

The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), an attached agency of the DSWD, has observed a decrease in the number of crimes involving CICL over the past eight years. JJWC Executive Director Tricia Clare Oco highlighted that the rate of involvement of minors in crimes declined to just over 4,000 cases in 2024 from a peak of 26,000 in 2017. However, in 2025, there was a slight increase to 5,000 cases, which Oco hopes will not rise further.

Dumlao also mentioned that the DSWD and the JJWC continue to support local government units (LGUs) in their operation of Bahay Pag-Asa (BPAs) by providing technical assistance to ensure that these youth care facilities are safe, well-managed, and equipped to cater to the needs of CICL.

Moreover, the DSWD and its attached agency implement the Buklod Paglaom para sa CICL: Holistic Psychosocial and Economic (HoPE) Interventions program. This program offers a range of center- and community-based interventions for 12- to 15-year-old CICL alleged to have committed serious offenses or have committed crimes more than twice. The program is carried out within BPAs and managed by a multi-disciplinary team.

For minors with suspended cases, the DSWD's Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) provides psychosocial support, education, skills training, and other necessary interventions to prepare the CICL for reintegration into their families and communities.