Juvenile jail to get P5M from Cuenco

The Operation Second Chance Center of Cebu City First Lady Margot Osmeña will receive over P500,000 financial assistance from south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco.

Cebu City Task Force on Street Children executive director Annabeth Cuizon said the amount will be used for the rehabilitation programs for the so-called juvenile delinquents now living in the Operation Second Chance Center.

The financial assistance will come from Cuenco's Priority Development Assistance Fund.

Under Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice System Act, instead of being detained in jail, Children in Conflict with the Law will undergo diversion programs like counseling, capacity building, training and socio-civic work under the supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Children below the age of criminal responsibility or those 15 years old or below should be immediately released to the custody of their parents, guardians or nearest relatives, the law said.

The releasing authority should also notify the local DSWD officer, who will then determine the appropriate programs in consultation with the child and his parents.

All CICL who are detained at city and municipal jails, and other penal institutions must be released and turned over to the DSWD, the law stated.

Cuizon said that they are now working on establishing a mess hall for the inmates, and the purchase of medicines and training equipment, among others.

Last Wednesday, the City Council approved a resolution for the release of the amount from Cuenco's PDAF to the Operation Second Chance Center. - Garry B. Lao