Yesterday, 11 heads/representatives of government agencies, non-governmental organizations, child and youth sectors, and provincial/city/municipal leagues of the region gathered to formally open the ninth Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week. DSWD Regional Director Marie Angela Gopalan, who heads the Council, addressed the group in a virtual interaction, encouraging members to be fully aware of the Juvenile Welfare Justice Act . Republic Act 9344 or the “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act” provides a system of dealing with children at risk and children in conflict with the law that includes child-appropriate proceedings, as well as programmes and services for prevention, diversion, rehabilitation, re-integration and aftercare. Head of the Regional JJWC Secretariat, Agnes Ergina Bugal, disclosed the activity was held at the DSWD’s Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) at Barangay Sto. Nino in Tanauan, Leyte. Social worker Georgina Bulasa, who is O.I.C. of said center, gave the welcome message while Regional Director Desiree Pontejos of the Commission of Human Rights, the closing remarks. t#DSWDMayMalasakit