Barangay-Led Interventions for CICL: Current Practice and Ways Moving Forward

Lester John Lim; Hazel Cometa- Lamberte

Authors

Lester John Lim Department of Family Life and Child Development at the University of the Philippines -Diliman Campus,Philippines
Hazel Cometa- Lamberte the Department of Social Work in the University of the Philippines, Diliman Campus, Philippines

Abstract

This study examines the barangay-led interventions for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) in the three barangays in Quezon City, Philippines, under Republic Act 9344. Using a multiple-case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 key stakeholders, direct field observations, and document analysis to examine how developmental, preventive, and remedial programs are integrated across intervention levels. Findings show that while barangays implement a range of programs for CICL, these tend to be programmatic rather than child-centered. The study found that the local government unit, through the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC), implements primary interventions centered on community development, including advocacy initiatives, curfew enforcement, security enhancement, and budget allocation for child protection programs. On the other hand, the secondary interventions involved direct engagement with children through structured dialogues, case management, educational support, counseling, parent education, and organized developmental activities aimed at strengthening protective factors and mitigating delinquent activities. Tertiary interventions that were implemented aimed to address legal concerns by facilitating monitoring, conducting feedback sessions, and implementing reintegration strategies to support CICL while also preventing recidivism. The study highlights the importance of a well-functioning BCPC and recommends capacity-building initiatives, professional practice enhancement, and policy reforms to strengthen community-based, child-focused interventions facilitated by social workers and paraprofessionals.

Author Biographies

Lester John Lim, Department of Family Life and Child Development at the University of the Philippines -Diliman Campus,Philippines

Lester John C. Lim is a licensed professional teacher and a full-time faculty member of the Department of Family Life and Child Development, University of the Philippines College of Home Economics. He handles courses on adolescent development and family dynamics. He finished his Master of Social Work from the University of the Philippines. Prior to working in the academe, he worked with several non-government organizations working with Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL). In his spare time, he writes children's storybooks funded by the Philippine government. He is an advocate of restorative justice and currently part of the Philippine’s Research Consortium for Children’s Rights (RCCR).

Hazel Cometa- Lamberte, the Department of Social Work in the University of the Philippines, Diliman Campus, Philippines

Hazel Cometa-Lamberte is a registered social worker and an Assistant Professor at the Department of Social Work in the University of the Philippines, Diliman Campus. Before joining the academe, she worked in child protection, handling cases of sexual and physical abuse, Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), neglect, abandonment, foster care, and adoption. She had extensive experience in residential care facilities for children for two decades. She served as a member of the Intercountry Placement Committee for both the Inter-Country Adoption Board (ICAB) for six years and the National Authority for Child Care (NACC). She also worked as a hotline and rescue social worker for three years. She co-produced and anchored a multi-awarded community radio program called "Sikhay Kilos Radio" on DZUP 1602, which features issues and challenges related to social development, including child welfare and protection. She authored and co-wrote local and international publications and presented papers on children at both international and local conferences. She earned her PhD in the Philippine Studies program of the University of the Philippines, specializing in the socio-cultural field. She is currently the Chair of the Department of Social Work, College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City

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