Proceedings (This part must include the following: relevant information, issues and concerns, records of discussion during the open forum, among others.)

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On the first day of the digital affair, the webinar training was formally started through an invocation that was then followed by the singing of the National Anthem and PASWI Hymn. Thereafter, Lydia M. Del Rosario, the Acting President of PASWI, welcomed all the participants in the herein subject undertaking. In continuation of the opening ceremony, Juliet Vergara-Yara, the Webinar Coordinator of PASWI, presented the rationale that was subsequently followed by the posting of the training house rules, other relevant announcements, and the virtual presentation of registered participants per region.

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            As the webinar training proper started for Day 1, Atty. Tricia Clare A. Oco, the Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), delivered her topic concerning Legal System and Framework, with emphasis on the justice system and legal framework for rehabilitation centers. Atty Oco started her discussion by introducing the JJWC, its duties and functions, and defining some terminologies that are crucial to her topic. She later on highlighted certain areas that are highly relevant to her topic such as the salient provisions of RA 9344 which otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, the 17 JJWC in the regional level, Diversion Program, some statistical data pertaining to the number of CICL served and rehabilitated at the Bahay Pag-asa (BPA) as of 2020, the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY), and the guidelines in the operation of the BPA issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Right after the discussion, an ample time was given for the open forum wherein the guest speaker was able to give more helpful information and insights in response to random questions brought up by the participants.

In continuation of the morning session for Day 1, Dir. Wilma D. Naviamos, CESO III Director IV from the Program Management Bureau of the DSWD Central Office, tackled the DSWD’s Role in Providing Technical Assistance to LGU – CICL Intervention Programs that was also under the Legal System and Framework. During her discussion, she gave emphasis on the so-called Technical Assistance and Resource Augmentation (TARA), its guidelines, rationale, as well as its coverage of programs and services. Furthermore, various projects, initiatives and other interventions developed by the DSWD for CICL were also presented. Right after her presentation, a forum was also facilitated wherein some participants actively shared their thoughts and questions relevant to the topic.

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After an hour of lunch break, the screen was turned over to the next resource speaker, Ms. Shella Ruiz-Marquez, the Health and Drugs National Program Officer from the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime. At this point, the plenary session leveled up to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare system in the International Arena. Ms. Marquez shared about the UN Standards Promoting Comprehensive Crime Prevention and Strategies and Effective Fair and Humane Criminal Justice System. She highlighted the evolution of Drug Use Prevention and Treatment Approaches for Children and Adolescents. Moreover, she also highlighted some factors that trigger the children/adolescents to use drugs that are prohibited. A question and answer portion was also carried out wherein a lot of participants were able to raise their questions and insights relevant to the topic.

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To complete the Day 1 of the virtual training, Eva P. Ponce de Leon, the Executive Director of the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc., delivered her presentation that was still under the Regulations and Protocols. As a former Executive Director of Quezon City Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, she was able to share her knowledge and expertise on certain areas such as in admission, healthcare, daily structure, rehabilitation works, visitations, recreation, discipline, community service, and education and training, which are pivotal in the operation and management of BPA and other residential facilities for CILC.

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A great momentum of learning was maintain on the Day 2 of the webinar training. Right after the opening amenities, the spotlight was given to the Executive Director of PASWI, Eva P. Ponce de Leon, who started the morning session and delivered her topic entitled Catalyzing the Center Environment. She started her presentation with a documentary video produced by the UNICEF, featuring the situation of BPA of Valenzuela City and its CICL clients. Her discussion also emphasized the fundamental needs of duty bearers.

In continuation of the morning session, Josephine A. Lascaño, the Executive Director of Balay Rehabilitation Center, Inc., enlightened the participants about the Roles and Responsibilities of the Center Staff, the Knowledge, Skills and Attitude they need to observe or develop, and the Challenges and Opportunities that they may encounter or gain along the way. Her discussion has been quite interactive and an engaging one because of the reflective questions she asked to the participants. In addition, Ms. Lascaño also tackled another interesting topic regarding Professional Conduct and Ethics, focusing on the ethical framework and its elements, and practice ethics and the challenges associated to it.

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Another interesting topic was brought up in the plenary after an hour of lunch break. It was presented by Ms. Noravilla Villaluz-Miranda, the former Executive Director of Mithing Pangarap Educational Foundation, Inc., and the former Assistant Program Manager - Street Education of Childhope Asia Philippines. Sharing her insights and expertise on Conflict and Stress Management, her discussion comprised understanding clients’ behavior, de-escalation techniques, and coping with personal stresses. These particular subject matters were incorporated into the context of children’s development. Furthermore, she also stressed out the importance of identity, some parenting tips, common causes of deviancy among teens, seven dimensions of well-being and the community resiliency model.

Taking into consideration the significance of safety and security in the management and operation of rehabilitation facilities for CICL, Dr. Neil P. Rodrigo, a DOLE accredited Occupational Safety and Health Consultant, underscored the Security Regulations and Protocols as well as the Intelligence Gathering and Clients’ Tracking. His discussion emphasized the significant measures in mitigating, preventing, and or controlling accidents and other hazardous or risky factors within the BPA and other residential facilities for CICL.

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Relevant to the main subject matter of the webinar training, Prof. Evelyn B. Serrano, the Executive Director of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and DSWD Consultant, imparted her knowledge and proficiency in Observing, Supervising and Monitoring, for these are viewed as important aspects in effective operation and management of the rehabilitation facilities for CICL. During her presentation, she was able to share the suggested framework as well as the criteria for an effective observation, supervision and monitoring scheme.

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Stepping into the Day 3 and definitely the last day of webinar training, the first discussion took place right after the opening amenities. The guest speaker, Ms. Pamela Ponce de Leon-Garcia, a Certified International Life Skills Trainer and Journalist, relayed her knowledge and expertise in Effective Communication. She started her presentation in defining communication and she later on tackled the barriers to effective communication, types of communication, and the top 10 essential skills for effective communication. After her discussion, a short forum was facilitated wherein the guest speaker was able to share some tips on how to further improve one’s speaking/communicating skill.

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Making the day even more productive, the next resource speaker, Robert G. Tiangco, the Founding President of the Philippine Association of Drug Rehabilitation Centers and Intervention Agencies (PADRECIA) and currently the Executive Director of Damascus Rehabilitation and Learning Center, shared his knowledge and expertise on “Dealing with Manipulation”, with emphasis on understanding reasons for manipulation, techniques to counter manipulation, and conditioning skills. Moreover, he was also able to include in his presentation, the basic types/styles of manipulation, and the manipulative behavior factors.

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Jumping into the afternoon session of Day 3, the participants learned about the “Management of Incidents”, as it was tackled by Dr. Salve B. Goleta, a Clinical Psychologist and consultant on Drug Programs under the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council. During her discussion, she underscored the common types of center incidents, effective ways of dealing with center incidents, and contingency planning. However, she also talked about tailoring therapy plans according the youth’s age and specific symptom exhibited, as well as the crime scene management and forensic investigation.

Moving on to the later part of the afternoon session for Day 3, Sr. Ma. Victoria P. Sta. Ana, FMA, the Managing Director of Laura Vicuña Foundation, Inc., also appeared on screen and discussed about the relevance of Spirituality aspect in the management and operation of the rehabilitation facility for CICL. Her talk primarily focused on understanding the benefit of spiritual wellness, and learning how to engage clients to spiritual learning.  

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To complete the three-day learning experience and bring the participants at the peak of satisfaction, Atty. Eric Mallonga, the Legal Counsel Founder and Executive Director of Meritxell Children’s Foundation, joined the plenary and delivered his topic concerning Regulations and Protocols. Atty. Mallonga underscored the United Nation Standard Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice, International Human Rights Instrument, and the Enforcement of Human Rights (UN Standard) – Minimun Rules for Rehabilitation. Apart from those subtopics, he also pointed out the relevance of Humanistic Orientation and shared about the Progressive Delinquency Prevention Programs for children and adolescents. Right after his presentation, a time slot was provided for the forum that turned out into a very engaging and an interactive one.

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Wrapping up the entire virtual training, a short video compilation of screenshots/photos taken from Day 1 up to the Day 3 was played for the participants. Thereafter, the host brought everybody into the closing program wherein Dr. Evangeline M. Guinto, the Treasure of PASWI, was called on screen and delivered her closing remark. The webinar was concluded with a community singing and the zoom meeting was ended at around six o’clock in the evening. 

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