Child protection working group can be activated during emergencies

DAVAO CITY- The Regional Child Protection Working Group (RCPWG) can now be activated in the Davao Region in case of emergencies as the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) 11 has adopted it  as one of its working groups.

                Chaired by the Department of Social Welfare  and Development (DSWD), the RSCWC 11 passed a resolution on June 30 adopting the RCPWG.

                Based on  the  terms of reference released  by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), the creation of the RCPWG is founded on the child protection policy enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child  and the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action.

                The setting out of child protection during  emergencies is founded on four key principles namely, survival and development,  non-discrimination,  child protection and the best interest of the child.

                The RCPWG is also grounded on Republic Act 10121  or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 that “institutionalizes the policies,  structures,  coordination,  mechanisms,  and programs with continuum budget appropriate on disaster risk reduction from national down to local levels towards building a disaster-resilient nation and communities”.

                The RCPWG is under the umbrella of the National Child Protection Working Group placed under the Child-Protection Sub-Cluster of the Protection Cluster led by the DSWD.

                Due to the regional geographical vulnerabilities of the country to disasters and emergencies, the RCPWG is deemed necessary.

                Generally, the RCPWG is tasked to carry out child protection programming,  coordination of child protection response, advocacy,  community-based programming and coordination of humanitarian support funding mechanisms.   (PIA 11/ RSCWC/ Jeanevive D. Abangan)