THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development is finalizing a new and more refined protocol for handling Children in Situations of Armed Conflict, aiming to strengthen protection measures and improve the agency’s response to the unique needs of these vulnerable children.

DSWD Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay of the Peace and Development Group emphasized the agency’s commitment to enhancing its services for children affected by violence and displacement due to armed conflict.

“Here in the DSWD, we are very true to our mandate to serve our kababayans. To avoid compromising the quality of our service, we ensure that protocols guiding our implementers in aiding people from different sectors are constantly revisited and enhanced,” Tanjusay said.

The updated protocol, currently under review by the DSWD Executive Committee, aligns with the agency’s responsibilities under Republic Act No. 11188, or the Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act of 2019.

This law defines CSAC as children who are involved in, affected by, or displaced due to armed conflict.

Once approved, the protocol is expected to serve as a critical guide for social workers, local social welfare officers, and allied professionals in implementing interventions under RA 11188.

In line with this effort, the DSWD has also created a Social Healing Unit under its Peace and Development Buong Bansa Mapayapa program.

The unit is tasked with developing policies and integrating Restorative Justice principles in managing CSAC cases, aiming to give affected children a chance at rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

“These new initiatives will put a premium on the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting children affected by armed conflict through intensified initiatives and direct interventions,” Tanjusay said.

In 2024, the Inter-Agency Committee on Children in Situations of Armed Conflict assisted a total of 763 children affected by armed conflict, 314 internally displaced children, and four children directly involved in conflict situations.

Among those assisted were four children reportedly recruited by the New People’s Army.

These children were safely reunited with their families and referred to DSWD–Northern Mindanao for further intervention and support.

The DSWD provided aid through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program, ensuring that both the children and their families received necessary psychosocial and material support.

The agency reiterated that its work remains focused on safeguarding the rights and welfare of all children, especially those caught in the crossfire of armed conflict, as part of its broader mission to promote peace and development in vulnerable communities.