SC re-assures protection of children’s rights, welfare

Be they child victims or children in conflict with the law (CICLs), the Supreme Court (SC) re-assured the judiciary’s commitment to protect their rights and welfare.

The re-assurance was pledged by the SC through Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh during Friday’s, Feb. 17, launch of the “Kids’ Day-Out in Court” at the family court of the New Hall of Justice in Calamba City, Laguna.

“Maaari pa rin tayong tumayo at mabuhay nang may pag-asa. Hindi pa huli ang lahat” (We can stand and live anew with hope. All is not lost), Justice Singh told the children.

“Nandito kami kasi mahalaga kayo sa amin. Sana maramdaman niyo ang tunay na pagkalinga namin (We are here because you are important to us. We hope you would feel our support and protection), Singh said.

The SC’s public information office (PIO) said the “Kids’ Day-Out in Court” is a project of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) in partnership with the Governance in Justice: A Justice Sector Reform Programme (GOJUST).

It is aimed at helping familiarize child victims and CICLs with the court setting to allay their fears or worries when attending court hearings, the PIO said.

The launch of the project in Calamba City included an orientation and run-through of testifying in court and a tour of the Family Court-Branch 8, and a portion for the children to showcase their talents, it said.

A total of 28 children from the Women Crisis and Therapy Center, Second Chance Home, and Calamba Children Shelter of Hope attended the event, it added.

Calamba City is one of the Justice Zones designated by the JSCC. The other Justice Zones are in Quezon City, Cebu City, Davao City, Angeles City, Bacolod City, Naga City, Balanga City, and Baguio City.

The JSCC is composed of the SC, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Justice Zones were set up to strengthen coordination and address concerns among agencies in the justice sector, the PIO said.

TAGS: #SC #SC PIO #Justice Zone #Kids’ Day-Out in Court