CICL

UPDATE REPORT

June, 2006 - Miami, Florida

On June 17, 2006, at the Awards and Gala Night held in Broward Convention Center, Florida, sponsored by the Phil American Federation of South Florida and NaFFAA-Region 4 to observe 100 years of Filipino Migration to the U.S., Maharlika Awards were given to Carlos Bulosan (Posthumous, received on his behalf by Sonny Sampayan), and to Dr. Ester Barrameda and Mr. Jess Santamaria of West Palm Beach for their outstanding contributions to thecommunity.

Also, Danny Cruz, President of the Philippine American Association of South Florida formally presented a check for $2,000 payable to NANAY-Philippine Assistance Program in support of Bantay-Bata and Children In Conflict with the Law (CICL). We are extremely grateful for this generous contribution, that will go a long way in helping our disadvantaged children in the Philippines.

In April 2006, a $1,000 donation from Lila Lee and the Luxmi Cruz Family Trust of Arizona was used to buy the following items:

a. 10 138-liter plastic containers for water storage

b. 22 dozens of short pants (walking shorts)

c. 250 bars of laundry soap

d. 250 bars of bath soap

e. 24 bars of sulfur soap (for scabies)

f. various drugs

1) 5 boxes of 500 mg paracetamol tabs (100 tabs/box)

2) 5 boxes of 500 mg amoxicillin caps (100 caps/box)

3) 3 boxes of 500 mg erythromycin caps (100 caps/box)

4) 3 boxes of 500 mg cephalexin caps (100 caps/box)

5) 1 box of 500 mg cloxacillin caps (100 caps/box)

6) 2 boxes of 500 mg ciprofloxacin caps (100 caps/box)

7) 3 boxes of 500 mg carbocisteine (SCMC) caps (100 caps/box)

8) 2 boxes of 2 mg loperamide HCl caps (100 caps/box)

9) 1 box of 10 mg hyoscine-N-butylbromide tabs (100 tabs/box)

10) 1 box of oral rehydration salts (50 tabs/box)

11) 10 120-ml bottles of 25% benzyl benzoate lotion (for scabies)

g. cottonballs for applying 25% benzyl benzoate lotion

These supplies were delivered to the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig for the children who have been transferred there from different jails in Metro Manila, whose number has rapidly increased: from 184 to 250+ children in just a matter of 3 weeks, and is expected to go even higher since PGMA has signed the bill into law.

A volunteer who lives near the area has been assigned to help ACE International monitor consumption of the items (including the drugs), including the names of the children who will be given the medicine, the ailment and the number of tablets/capsules consumed for each course of therapy (this was to be countersigned by the physician who will be prescribing the medicine). Most of the cases encountered in the facility were upper respiratory tract infections, scabies and fungal infection. A short lecture was conducted on how to use the sulfur soap and some basic principles of hygiene.

On June 8, 2006, 10 boxes containing computers, monitors, towels and soaps for the CICL project were shipped to the Philippines (through the courtesy of LBC Foundation). Five more boxes will be shipped in July, and another small batch in August. These are in addition to the 4 Pentium 3 computers that were sent in February and received in March. The computers and monitors were generously donated by CNET Networks, a major media establishment based in San Francisco (thanks to the intervention of Cecille Hontiveros). Yuko from Japan also donated a computer. These will be distributed to Family Court Judges to facilitate the release of children in prison (YES, they are still in prison! ).

A laptop computer was already delivered to the office of Manila Family Court Judge Socorro Inting last January, in addition to 3 units of the Electro Styro-Cutters donated to Molave Youth Home to be used by the CICL for their arts and crafts sessions. A small donation of $200 was also given to School of Light for school supplies and books of the poor children in Antipolo.

ACE International Philippines was registered with SEC in March 2006, and is now awaiting DSWD accreditation for the NCR. Networking efforts and project plans are also now underway in Cagayan de Oro, and its regional DSWD has responded with enthusiasm that they can start the project there legally with one requirement only and that is, to submit a copy of ACE International-Phil.'s SEC registration.

On May 4, 2006, The President signed Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 last April 28 without formal ceremonies-- before the 30-day prescription period lapsed. At least 1,500 children reportedly had been released, but we have to trace their whereabouts because they might have just been transferred to Camp Papa, in Taguig, where they are guarded by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology instead of security
guards.

Diosel, the only one alive out of the three boys featured in "BUNSO", is now a teenager working in school under the guidance of Atty. Nina Valenzona of "Share-A-Child" Movement in Cebu, and he now seems to have expressed interest in learning how to use a computer.

Many good things have happened since the CNN news about the plight of children in prison was first aired worldwide. But there are many more things that need to be done to prevent these children from coming in contact with the law. Poverty, lack of education, homelessness, broken families, child abuse, prostitution, senseless killings and many other social ills are still rampant and real.

The Philippine American Association of South Florida's $2,000 donation to NANAY-Philippine Assistance Program, Bantay-Bata and Ace International will help alleviate some of these problems -- thanks to the goodwill and civic-mindedness of its officers. Their contribution to our cause will affect the lives of many-- and hopefully will inspire others to do the same.

There is a lot of goodness out there-- just waiting to be harnessed...

Many thanks to all those who care enough to help.