Enhanced protection for children in armed conflict situations pushed

MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to come up with a more refined protocol on handling children in situations of armed conflict (CSAC) to enhance the agency’s capacity to protect them from all forms of abuse, violence, neglect, cruelty, discrimination, and other conditions prejudicial to their development.

“Here in the DSWD, we are very true to our mandate to serve our kababayans (fellow Filipinos). Para hindi ma-compromise ‘yung quality ng serbisyo natin para sa kanila (So as not to compromise the quality of our service to them), we ensure that protocols which guide our implementers in aiding people from different sectors are constantly revisited and enhanced,” Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay of the DSWD’s Peace and Development Group said in a news release on Friday.

Under Republic Act (RA) No. 11188 or the Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act of 2019, CSAC refers to children involved in armed conflict, children affected by armed conflict and internally displaced children.

Tanjusay said the draft CSAC protocol of the DSWD is aligned with its roles and responsibilities as part of the Inter-Agency Committee on Children in Situations of Armed Conflict (IAC-CSAC) which is responsible for the implementation of RA 11188.

“This is still under review by the DSWD’s Executive Committee, but we envision that once it has been officially approved, it will be of immense help to our social workers, local social welfare and development officers and allied professionals who are also identified as among the key implementers of RA 11188,” he said.

Tanjusay said that under the DSWD's Peace and Development Buong Bansa Mapayapa program, the agency also established a Social Healing Unit that will be focused on various initiatives that promote the holistic welfare of CSAC.

This Social Healing Unit includes the development of pertinent policies and the integration of Restorative Justice principles in CSAC case management, ensuring that children who have been involved in armed conflict are able to get a new lease on life.

“These new initiatives will put a premium on the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting children affected by armed conflict through its package of intensified initiatives and direct interventions,” he said.

In 2024, the IAC-CSAC assisted 763 children affected by armed conflict; 314 internally displaced children; and four children involved in armed conflict.

The DSWD’s concerned field offices were able to assist these children and their families through the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation.

Four children who were recruited by the New People’s Army have been reunited with their families and were also endorsed to the DSWD-Northern Mindanao for further intervention and assistance. (PNA)

(2025/05/16-10:25)