Monitoring of Children in Conflict with the Law in LGU-Managed Detention Facilities with Suspected and Confirmed Cases of COVID-19

April 28, 2020

DILG MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 078-20

 

Republic Act 9344, as amended by RA 10630, recognizes the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty and exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development.

In light of this and in view of the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, the Juvenile Justice Welfare Council (JJWC) is requesting all concerned provinces to provide updates on the status of children-in-conflict with the law (CICL) in all LGU-managed detention facilities with suspected and confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as well as the corresponding actions taken. The said CICLs who were referred to LGU-managed detention facilities are either awaiting transfer to youth facilities or interventions from local social workers, or persons deprived of liberty (PDL) aged above 18 but below 21 who committed the offense during the age of minority.

To ensure that proper care and protection are being given to all CICLs in all LGU-managed detention facilities, all concerned Provincial Governors/BARMM Chief Minister, through their respective Local Social Welfare and Development Offices, are requested to accomplish the attached Monitoring Form to be submitted to JJWC on April 30, 2020 and updated every week while the local community quarantine is in effect. Accomplished monitoring forms can be sent through e-mail address: [email protected], copy furnished [email protected], and [email protected].

For questions and clarifications, please coordinate with Ms. Jackielou S. Bagadiong of the JJWC Policy and Research Division through Telephone/Mobile numbers: (02) 8921-0565 and 09173378042.

All DILG Regional Directors are directed to cause the immediate and widest dissemination of this Memorandum Circular within their respective regions.

For compliance.

(SGD.) EDUARDO M. AÑOSecretary

ATTACHMENT

Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council

April 6, 2020

SECRETARY EDUARDO M. AÑODepartment of the Interior and Local Government

Dear Secretary Año,

In line with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council's (JJWC) mandate of protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of the country's children in conflict with the law (CICL), we would like to respectfully request for the DILG to send us a weekly update on the CICL in to local government unit (LGU)-managed jails with suspected and confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the corresponding actions taken. The request includes the 1) minors referred to LGU-managed jails and awaiting transfer to youth facility or interventions from local social worker and 2) persons deprived of liberty (PDL) aged above 18 but below 21 who committed the offense during the age of minority.

The JJWC appreciates the DILG's measures in ensuring that the persons deprived of liberty, including the CICL, do not contract COVID-19. We hope, nonetheless, that the CICL in the LGU-managed jails remain to be handled and treated in line with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (Republic Act 9344 as amended) despite the emergency situation we are in today. This includes, among others, ensuring that these children are protected from any form of violence, are not mixed with adults deprived of liberty, and are prioritized for immediate release or transfer to appropriate youth facilities.

We would be very grateful for the DILG's weekly update on the matter. We attached sample template for your reference. The said update and further related correspondence can be sent to the JJWC official e-mail: [email protected] cc: [email protected] For clarifications or questions, you may coordinate with Ms. Jackielou S. Bagadiong of the Policy and Research Division through the following telephone numbers: 8921-0565/09173378042.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

(SGD.) ATTY. TRICIA CLARE A. OCOExecutive Director

Updates on the Status of CICLs in LGU-Managed Detention Facilities

Weekly Monitoring Report