CICLs undergo livelihood training inside Operation Second Chance

Children in conflict with law (CICL) currently under Cebu City Operation Second Chance Center in Barangay Kalunasan are assured of having a means of living once they reintegrate back into society following some livelihood training and free education insid

Currently, there are 67 CICLs that are currently trained with different livelihoods, said CCOSCC Executive Director Portia Basmayor.

Majority of the CICLs under CCOSCC are facing charges for illegal possession and selling of illegal drugs.

These juvenile delinquents are currently trained in candle making, parol making, and edible mushroom production.

The Department of Manpower Development and Placement sent personnel to train the CICLs in candle and parol making.

A non-government partner, on the other hand, taught them how to produce edible mushrooms.

This training helps them out of boredom and at the same time helps them earn money even inside the facility as CICLs have started selling their products through the CCOSCC.

Basmayor disclosed that CICLs already started to earn from candle making during the Kalag-Kalag last year.

“So pag last November, nakahalin mi og mga P15,000. Nipartner mi sa Ateneo (de

Cebu) para mahalin ang candles. Nitabang sad atong City Hall employees sa pagpalit og candles during Kalag-Kalag,” Basmayor said through the city’s Sugboanon channel.

Aside from that, the CICLs also earned P30,000 from parols they made which they sold to the city government.

“Kanang parol nga nakit-an ninyo sa kadalanan, ato nang mga bata ang gahimo ana,” she added.

CCOSCC also plans to tap partners and the city government to promote CICLs’ finished products further.

“Kung naa man tay partner establishments, ilabi na sa atong pamunoan, para mahatagan nato og display ang products sa atong mga CICLs. Tabangan sad nato og market,” Basmayor.

Basmayor is still in the lookout for establishments and organizations that can help sell the edible mushrooms grown by the CICLs.

Basmayor, however, said that even as CCOSCC continues to provide aid to CICLS, family and barangay support remains a key factor in the rehabilitation and reintegration of these youngsters.

Parents of CICLs under the said facility had been urged to monitor their children after they are released from the facility.

Basmayor also urged the Barangay Council for the Welfare of Children to help monitor CICLs living in their area.

DSWS also provides aftercare services to CICLs after they are released from CCOSCC.

Aside from skills training, the CCOSCC also provides free education for the CICLs through the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education.

Basmayor said the CICLs earned diplomas even as they await resolution of their cases.