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Awareness and Reactions of the Public on the Juvenile Law in the Philippines (Juvenile
Justice and Welfare Act of 2006)

Introduction
Upon the approval of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on the Juvenile Justice
and Welfare Act in 2006, a modified juvenile justice system was introduced in the Philippines. In
this new Juvenile law, many provisions were included that primarily includes the protection of
children in conflict with the law and the restorative justice that acts an integral part of the new
juvenile system. (New Juvenile Justice Law in the Philippines, 2006).
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate principlesand rules adopted by Philippine
government for the Filipino children, which incorporated in the Juvenile Justice in the country.
And, on how the said law ofdisciplines punishes the young offenders, as well as to know how
the new provisions of the juvenile law protect the human rights of the youth. This study also
aims to evaluate the roles of the different sectors in the society to prevent juvenile delinquency
prevalence in the country.
METHODS AND RESEARCH PROCESS
The methods and research process used in this study were document review and
analysis on selected write-ups on legal and policy documents regardingJuvenile Justice and
Welfare Act of 2006.
Review of Related Literature and Studies
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Act was first passed by Congress in year 1974. In this
connection, several agencies were created such as National Institute for Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention (NIJJDP, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
(OJJDP), plus the Runaway Youth Program. With goals of improving the standard of the juvenile
justice system for the youth offenders involved in crimes in the Philippines. ( Mitcheli, n.d.).
The Republic Act No. 9344, otherwise known now as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare
Act of 2006 is an act that set up a comprehensive juvenile justice andwelfare system,
creating the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council under the Department of Justice. R.A. 9344 is
a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1402 and House Bill No. 5065; this was passed by the Senate
and House of Representatives on 22 March 2006. It was signed into law by President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo on 28 April 2006. (LEGAL WIKI BETA, n. d.).

The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act 2006 calls for restorative justice to be incorporated
into all laws, policies and programs applicable to children in conflict with the law. It describes
as:
a principle which requires a process of resolving conflicts with the maximum
involvement of the victim, the offender and the community. It seeks to obtain reparation
for the victim; reconciliation of the offender, the offended and the community; and
reassurance to the offender that he/she can be reintegrated into society. It also
enhances public safety by activating the offender, the victim and the community in
prevention strategies. (New Juvenile Justice Law in the Philippines, 2006).
Under the Philippine Juvenile law, there are certain provisions that protect the rights of the young offenders such as they
are not detained in the adult correctional facilities in a long term-period, such the as six hours before and after their court hearings
and up to 24 hours, including weekends and holidays in rural areas and during unsafe weather conditions. In case that they are held
with adults correctional facilities, these young offenders must be isolated from the adults detainees in order not to see and hear the
adults daily activities inside the prison. It is also mandated that kids who have not committed serious crimes like school skippers
cannot be detained in the detention centers together with the kids who have stolen things. in custody The social significance of this
provision is to prevent these children to be influenced by the negative acts and behaviors of the adult criminals inside the prison; as
well as to separate them from

other young offenders with higher degree of offense who can possibly manipulate these
more innocent offenders. ( Mitcheli, n.d.).
The family has a very important role in determining the future of a child, whether it will be
good or not. The parents are the best teachers of a child, hence, they should set good
examples to their children in order them to respect and follow their house rules. The family, the
church, educational system, mass media, and other local government agencies must work hand
in hand in order to prevent and alleviate the problems of street children and juvenile delinquency
occurrences in the society. By promoting awareness on the prevention of juvenile delinquency
through implementing a massive youth and sports programs as well as activities that will
promote productivity, creativity and competency among the youth today.
Therefore, it is obviously pivotal to lead and guide the children at home and in the
outside environment at large. The primary nurturing and rearing of children by their parents
and other members in the family has a strong impact on the prevention of juvenile delinquency
prevalence.
References:
LEGAL WIKI BETA. http://wiki.lawcenter.ph/index.php?
title=Juvenile_Justice_and_Welfare_Act_of_2006.

Murdoch, V. M., LLM. (1990). BACKGROUND ON JUVENILE CRIME AND THE LEGAL
SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES IN THE EARLY 1990s. JUVENILE JUSTICE IN THE
PHILIPPINES - A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE (ABSTRACT).
Accessed at:http://www.judgesandmagistrates.org/murd.htm.
New Juvenile Justice Law in the Philippines. (2006). Restorative Justice Online. Accessed at:
http://www.restorativejustice.org/editions/2006/september06/philippines.
Philippine Laws related to the Discipline and Punishment of Children. Published by: Save the
Children. UK. (2006).