SDC to seek LGU support in opposing reduction of children’s age with criminal responsibility
SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- Members of the Social Development Committee (SDC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) target to get the support of local government units (LGUs) in opposing the reduction of the minimum age of criminal responsibility of children (MACR).
Social Welfare Officer III Katherine Joy M. Lamprea of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Field Office 6 on Tuesday said that the committee chaired by DSWD regional director Rebecca Geamala will be asking the RDC to come up with a resolution expressing opposition to the proposal likewise asking LGUs for their support.
Capiz Second District Congressman Fredenil H. Castro has a pending bill at the House of Representatives decreasing the MACR from 15 to nine years old.
The SDC believed that the said proposal when approve will deprive children of their childhood as well as growing up with their parents in a normal home setting, said Lamprea, who is also the secretariat of the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee.
Lamprea said that since they launched the one million signature campaign in Region 6 last December, they were only able to generate around 7,000 signatures, which is still way below the target.
“We also need resolutions from the LGUs opposing the House Bill,†she said.
Among the signatories were selected media practitioners from Western Visayas who affixed their signatures during the Media Forum held in Boracay island last year.
Lamprea said that they need to gather more signatures to reach the target before the meeting of the Sub-Committee on Correctional Reforms resumes on or before end of March. (PNA)
LAP/PGL/AJPETINGLAY/KVB
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