The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to come up with a more refined protocol on handling children in situations of armed conflict (CSAC) to enhance the agency’s capacity to protect them from all forms of abuse, violence, neglect, cruelty, discrimination, and other conditions prejudicial to their development.
“Here in the DSWD, we are very true to our mandate to serve our kababayans. Para hindi ma-compromise yung quality ng serbisyo natin para sa kanila, we ensure that protocols which guide our implementers in aiding people from different sectors are constantly revisited and enhanced,” Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay who leads the DSWD’s Peace and Development Group (PDG) said.
Under Republic Act No. 11188 or the Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act of 2019, CSAC refers to children involved in armed conflict, children affected by armed conflict, and internally displaced children.
The PDG undersecretary said the draft CSAC protocol of the DSWD is aligned with its roles and responsibilities as part of the Inter-Agency Committee on Children in Situations of Armed Conflict (IAC-CSAC) which is responsible for the implementation of RA 11188.
“This is still under review by the DSWD’s Executive Committee, but we envision that once it has been officially approved, it will be of immense help to our social workers, local social welfare and development officers and allied professionals who are also identified as among the key implementers of RA 11188,” Undersecretary Tanjusay pointed out.
Undersecretary Tanjusay said that under the DSWD’s Peace and Development Buong Bansa Mapayapa (PDBBM) Program, the agency has also established a Social Healing Unit that will be focused on various initiatives that promote the holistic welfare of CSAC.
This Social Healing Unit includes the development of pertinent policies and the integration of Restorative Justice principles in CSAC case management, ensuring that children who have been involved in armed conflict are able to get a new lease on life.
“These new initiatives will put a premium on the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting children affected by armed conflict through its package of intensified initiatives and direct interventions,” Undersecretary Tanjusay said.
In 2024, the IAC-CSAC assisted 763 children affected by armed conflict; 314 internally displaced children; and four children involved in armed conflict.
The DSWD’s concerned Field Offices (FO) were able to assist these children and their families through the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
The four children involved in armed conflict who were recruited by the New People’s Army (NPA) have been successfully reunited with their families and were also endorsed to the DSWD FO 10 – Northern Mindanao for further intervention and assistance. # (LSJ)