Despite their troubled past, children in conflict with the law (CICL) deserve a second chance — or even more. Fortunately, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has programs that offer a new lease on life for CICLs.
Recently, 25 CICL who are residing at the DSWD Regional Rehabilitation for Children and Youth (RRCY) in Cagayan Valley completed their training with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Keep on reading to learn more about their inspiring story!
25 CICL Complete TESDA Training in Region 2
From March 11 to April 3, 2024, TESDA Region 2 conducted a 15-day training in Barangay Roma Norte, Enrile town. A DSWD press release reported that the trainees were 25 CICLs who learned about Motorcycle/Small Engine Servicing. They completed the training and received their certificates on April 18, 2024.
According to DSWD-RRCY head Rommel Gamiao, the training aimed to equip the participants with the necessary knowledge and skills in installing engines, dissembling engine parts, and connecting the service parts of small engines.
One of the participants, “Mark” (not his real name), 18, stated that he was happy to have benefited from the activity, having gained the skills he would need when he gets out of the rehabilitation center.
Mark, who had admitted to committing car theft, shared that once his rehabilitation period is over, he would continue to learn and eventually enroll in a course on automotive servicing.
“Gusto ko po talagang maging automotive. Bata pa lang ako, 12 years old pa lang ay kinakalikot ko lahat ng mga bagay na nahahawakan ko (I really want to be an automotive technician. Since I was a child, when I was 12 years old I have been tinkering with everything I could get my hands on),” Mark explained.
Another participant, “Kerwin” (not his real name), 20, expressed his joy after fixing a machine. “Sobrang happy po kasi naging effective po ‘yong turo ng aming instructor noong in-apply namin kaya hindi ko talaga ma-express yong saya na naramdaman ko nang gumana yung ginawa ko (I am so happy because the teaching of our instructor was really effective when we applied it, so I cannot express the joy I felt when what I did worked),” he said.
Kerwin, who has been in the center for four years, is hopeful that he would soon be acquitted of the rape case he was accused of. Other than the training, he shared that the biggest lesson he received through rehabilitation was his strengthened faith.
“Ang dami kong natutuhan dito sa loob tulad ng pananampalataya ko sa Panginoon. Thankful ako kasi hindi ko aakalain na dito ko pala Siya makikilala (I’ve gained a lot here, like my faith in the Lord. I’m thankful because I never thought I would meet Him here),” he said.
When asked about what he would do upon leaving the center, Kerwin said: “Siguro didiretso ako sa church para magpasalamat sa mga nangyari sa akin hindi lang po sa mga nangyari sa akin dito kung ‘di yung mga negative din na nangyari kasi hindi ako natuto kung wala akong nagawang negative Sir (Maybe I’d go straight to church to give thanks, not only for what happened to me here, but also for the negative things that happened because I wouldn’t have learned if I hadn’t experienced anything negative, Sir).”
Present during the graduation ceremony were DSWD Cagayan Valley Field Office Asst. Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Franco Lopez, RRCY head Gamiao, Manpower Development Officer II Alfred Queja, Rolando Salvatera, trainer on Motorcycle and Small Engine Servicing from TESDA-2, and other staff of the center.
Notably, the RRCY is a facility designed to provide intensive treatment in a residential setting for the rehabilitation of CICL whose sentences have been suspended. Basically, it serves as an out-of-home placement for children in need of rehabilitation.
Congratulations to those who have completed the TESDA training! This is definitely a positive step towards a brighter future for you all!
Interestingly, the DSWD has a specific program for children in conflict with the law (CICL). Head to this link to learn more about the department’s Buklod Paglaom program.