Cordillera Administrative Region- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is in an effort to change perspectives and practices on disciplining children by teaching positive disciplining techniques to parents here.
Social Worker Mae Aromin shared that positive disciplining is one of the newest techniques in rearing children which aims to let the children understand the consequences of their actions. This is in contrast to the common practice that is related to classical conditioning which involves punishment of undesirable actions or behaviors. “We are willing to conduct sessions to parents who are interested to learn the strategies of positive discipline. But for now, we are already implementing this technique to the clients of our centers and institutions with the aim of preparing these children to become more responsible adults when we re-integrate them to the community”, Aromin added.
Meanwhile, Project Development Officer John Eric B. Escalante said that positive disciplining is also taught in one of the modules of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program’s Family Development Sessions (FDS). As a result, parents under the said program are able to improve their practices in bringing up their children.
“Dati madalas ako magmura at namamalo sa mga anak ko dahil sa sobrang galit pero nung tumagal, naalis ko din ang ugali kong yun sa mga anak ko dahil nalaman ko na dinidibdib ng mga bata lalo na yung masamang salita na galling sa mga magulang nila”, Pantawid Pamilya partner beneficiary Sarah Miren Obedoza shared. Sarah has three (3) children under the said program.
“Our utmost concern in the DSWD is protecting and promoting our children’s welfare. In whatever circumstances, we will always prioritize the children’s rights. And with positive disciplining, we hope that corporal punishment that might lead to various forms of abuse will be lessened if not totally eradicated.” DSWD-CAR Regional Director Janet P. Armas shared.
In 2014, the DSWD-CAR was able to serve a total of 26 women and girls who have been subjected to various forms of abuse including sexual and physical abuse. These individuals have been served through the Regional Haven for Women and Girls, an institution which aims to provide protection and proper intervention and rehabilitation services to women and girls who are victims of violence, abuse, and exploitation.
The Regional Haven is one of the three (3) institutions being maintained by the DSWD which are 24-hour residential facilities catering to specific clientele. These institutions also include the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY) which caters to Children in Conflict with the Law (CICLs) and the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) which caters to children 0-6 years old who are in need of temporary shelter. For further information on the services that maybe availed through these institutions, you may call (+3674) 446-5961 or 444-5344. # DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, NERIZZA FAYE G. VILLANUEVA with reports from REMY SOLOMON (UC Intern)
