This document discusses Republic Act No. 9344, also known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. The law was enacted to establish a comprehensive juvenile justice system in the Philippines and create the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council. Previously, children as young as 9 years old could be imprisoned for committing crimes. The document defines a "child at risk" and lists circumstances that could make a child vulnerable to criminal behavior. It also outlines principles and structures for the administration of juvenile justice and welfare in the country.

1. By: BRYAN C. PASION
By: BRYAN C. PASION

3. Republic Act No. 9344 is “An
Act Establishing a
Comprehensive Juvenile
Justice and Welfare System,
Creating the Juvenile
Justice and Welfare
Council under the
Department of Justice, or
otherwise known as the
“Juvenile Justice and
Welfare Act of 2006”.

4. Before this law was
enacted, as early as
9 years old children
who considered to
commit crimes are
put to jail as young
as 9 years old.

5. “Child at Risk” refers to a child who is vulnerable to and at the risk of committing
criminal offenses because of personal, family and social circumstances, such as, but
not limited to, the following:
(1) being abused by any person through sexual, physical, psychological, mental, economic or any other means and the parents
or guardian refuse, are unwilling, or unable to provide protection for the child;
(2) being exploited including sexually or economically;
(3) being abandoned or neglected, and after diligent search and inquiry, the parent or guardian cannot be found;
(4) coming from a dysfunctional or broken family or without a parent or guardian;
(5) being out of school;
(6) being a streetchild;
(7) being a member of a gang;
(8) living in a community with a high level of criminality or drug abuse; and
(9) living in situations of armed conflict.

6. PRINCIPLES IN THE
ADMINISTRATION OF
JUVENILE JUSTICE AND
WELFARE

7.  Kinilala ng Estado ang mahalagang
kontribusyon ng kabataan sa pag-
unlad ng bayan at isusulong nito
ang kanilang kaligtasan at
kapakanang pisikal, moral
espiritwal, intelektuwal at sosyal.

17. STRUCTURES IN THE ADMINISTRATION
OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND WELFARE

21. PREVENTION OF
JUVENILE
DELINQUENCY