Barangay Councils’ Knowledge and Capability in Handling Cases of Children in Conflict with the Law
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2025.662Keywords:
Barangay protocols and duties, Diversion programs, Intervention programs, Juvenile justice and welfare act, Legal frameworksAbstract
This study assessed the knowledge and capability of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) in handling children in conflict with the law (CICL) at Lamut, Ifugao. The research recognizes the roles of BCPC members as key workers in implementing the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act and protecting children's rights at the barangay level. It aimed to evaluate their understanding of legal frameworks and barangay protocols, as well as their practical skills in handling CICL cases through duties, intervention, and diversion programs. Using a quantitative, descriptive-correlational design, data were collected via a researcher-developed Likert-scale questionnaire from 53 BCPC members in barangays with high CICL incidence. Results revealed that the respondents demonstrated high levels of knowledge (composite mean = 3.08, SD = 0.58) and capability (composite mean = 2.75, SD = 0.68). Pearson’s correlation further showed a significant positive relationship (r = 0.610, p < 0.01) between knowledge and capability, indicating that greater knowledge is associated with a greater capacity to handle CICL cases. However, gaps were identified between capability and council position, underscoring the need for continuous training. The study highlights the importance of capacity-building programs in ensuring that BCPC members adhere to restorative justice principles and provide suitable support to CICL, thereby enhancing reintegration outcomes and child protection at the community level.
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