Crimes vs children in Naga drop in 2021

By Zyra Ponce

The Naga City Social Welfare Development Office (SWDO) has reported a decrease in the number of crimes committed against children aged from zero to 17 years old during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an interview with Evangeline Manalo, Social Welfare Officer III, the 25 cases of recorded crimes against the children reported to their office in 2020 has decreased to 20 as of October 2021.

These crimes committed against children include rape, acts of lasciviousness, physical abuse, child labor, neglect and abandonment.

Manalo said that the decrease in the number of cases could be possibly due to the programs in awareness of the parents on their roles in the family and their obligations to their children. She said that they have social worker volunteers designated in different barangays, who help them address the concerns of the parents and children who are experiencing abuses and intimidations inside their homes.

“Particularly ining Barangay Council for the Protection of Children kasi sinda ang mandated na groups sa kada barangay na mag protect, mag promote ning mga program and services para maiwasan ang pangaabuso para sa mga kaakian,” Manalo added.

She also emphasized that parents play a vital role in protecting and securing the rights and safety of their children inside their homes. She added that it is the sole responsibility of the parents to address the needs of their children.

Depending on the actual sexual acts and exploitation committed against children, government officials and authorities use the laws such as Republic Act (RA) 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, Anti-Trafficking in Person Act of 2003, and RA 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009.

Meanwhile, the city’s Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) confirmed that no case was registered on the abuse of children with disability. However, the office also said that the number of their Children with Special Needs has increased from 200 to 700 with age ranging from zero to 17 years old.

“Siguro nahiling ninda na magayon ang programa kang Naga manungod sa mga Children with Disability kaya biglang nagdakula bigla an satuyang number kan PWD,” Jocelyn Ballon, PDAO External Relations Officer said.

Moreover, with the celebration of 2021 National Children’s Month (NCM), which highlights the theme, “New Normal na Walang Iwanan: Karapatan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan (No One is Left Behind under the New Normal: Focus on Children’s Rights),” the Naga City government presented a calendar of activities, which include the Child Birth Registration on Nov. 18, Children’s Congress 2021 on Nov. 20, Educare Got Talent on Nov. 27 and State of the Children Report on Nov. 29.