The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) brought its child protection advocacy closer to the community as it joined the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Serbisyo Caravan, in partnership with the Philippine Collective Media Corporation (PCMC) – DZMM, on March 6 in Barangay Silangan, Quezon City.

Over 300 senior citizens and parents attended the said activity, where various government agencies provided information on programs and services for families and communities.

As part of its participation, JJWC set up an information booth where participants could access information, education, and communication (IEC) materials, such as FAQs on RA 9344 and comics, about the Council’s mandate, programs, and initiatives related to children in conflict with the law (CICL) and children at risk (CAR).

A representative from JJWC, Sofia Silva-Llana, Project Development Officer III, was also given the opportunity to present the Council’s mandate, key initiatives, and a success story to the participants. The presentation helped raise awareness among community members about the importance of protecting children’s rights and the available government services, especially at the barangay level, that support children and families.

The activity provided an opportunity to raise awareness about the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act (JJWA) or the Republic Act 9344, as amended, and the importance of child-sensitive approaches in addressing situations involving CICL and CAR.

Aside from JJWC, the Serbisyo Caravan also featured DSWD and its attached agencies, including Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), and the National Authority for Child Care (NACC) bringing government services and information closer to the community.