by  Ann Gielou M. Posedio

CANDELARIA, QUEZON – The office of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) held a seminar on the new ordinance regarding proliferating cases of crimes and abuses carried out by street children at the municipal’s covered court on August 13.

During the seminar, MSWD warned the parents that there is a new regulation declaring the imprisonment of the minor’s guardian if the minor is proven guilty of a crime. Under the existing law, the minor cannot be jailed.

Headed by Ms. Asuncion Gardon, the chief officer of MSWD, the seminar served as a “consultation meeting” among 25 parents who shared their problems and situation about their children conflicting with the law. Some of the dilemmas mentioned by parents were the unemployment of parents, unsupported education for children, and peer pressure among other street children from the neighboring towns.

In line with this, MSWD also promoted livelihood programs for the parents and free education for the out-of-school youth during the seminar.

According to Ma’am Gardon, the said seminar is part of MSWD’s campaign, “Sagip-Saglit Batang Yagit” which is a strategy they formulated to help eliminate the community’s problem on street children and the possible dangers they can bring to themselves and to the community.

Aside from Ms. Gardon, PO3 Gerkorie Cruzar, the PNP officer of Child and Women’s Desk, and two speakers from the religious sector also talked with the parents during the discussion.

“Nag-serve din siya (seminar) as an in-depth study para malaman kung ano pa yung posibleng…sustainable programs and services to introduce,” Ms. Gardon shared.

Meanwhile, MSWD plans to hold next consultation meeting for both parents and their children this September and conduct it during the Family Week celebration for comprehensive counseling purposes.