Law for kids at risk eyed

DAVAO City Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta seeks to make an ordinance creating a program for children at risk.

Acosta, during the privilege hour yesterday, said Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio expressed concern on children sniffing solvents in the city and has queried if the city has existing laws covering this kind of situation.

Acosta said the mayor asked if there can be a legislation that will allow the government to be equipped with legal, physical, and financial capabilities to respond to these situations.

“In an initial meeting with Davao City Social Services and Development Office head Maria Luisa T. Bermudo, we both fully support the aspiration of the mayor to be proactive in the matters of the concern and safety of the children in particular. True enough it will be wise to craft an ordinance that establishes intervention program catering to the children at risk and let us not wait that they will become Children in Conflict with the law (CICL),” she said.

Acosta said they are going to craft a “pro-active” ordinance that will cater to children found to be at risk of harming themselves or become a part of social concern under peace and public safety.

Acosta said assistance from government and non-government agencies could be properly coursed to this pro-active program if once they have crafted necessary legislations.

Acosta’s speech was passed on first reading and the item will be jointly heard by the peace and order committee and women and children committee chaired by Davao City Councilor Avegayle Dalodo-Ortiz.