Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, together with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., on Wednesday (May 7) led the ceremonial groundbreaking of the country’s first agricultural campsite for children in conflict with the law (CICL) that will be constructed at the Inagawan Sub-Colony in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

The 10-hectare agricamp will serve as a facility to provide interventions and programs for CICLs to help them in their rehabilitation.

Other high ranking government officials present at the event were Governor Victorino Dennis Socrates and Congressman Jose Alvarez of Palawan; and Commissioner Beda Epres of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Attendees also include Associate Justice Wilhelmina Jorge-Wagan of the Court of Appeals; Undersecretaries Eric Ayapana and Roberto Bernardo of the DPWH; Undersecretary Deo Marco and Assistant Secretary Majken Anika Gran-Ong of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

DSWD officials who joined the groundbreaking were Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar and Asst. Secretary Elaine Fallarcuna of the DSWD’s International Affairs, Attached and Supervised Agencies (ASAs), and Executive Director Tricia Clare Oco of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC). (AKDL)