Date of posting: 13 February 2019

The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD) is looking for an individual who is interested to work full time as advocacy and partnerships officer. The advocacy and partnerships officer will be assigned to handle advocacy for multiple issues related to human development, particularly on promoting a smoke-free environment and health, rural development, children’s rights, and gender equality. Experience in and passion for advocacy work is required.

Interested applicants may send their CV and letter of application addressed to Mr. Romeo Dongeto, executive director, to plcpdfound@plcpd.org.ph (cc: nenitadalde@plcpd.org.ph).

Main Functions:

• Implements advocacy activities and ensures completion of project deliverables
• Develops and implements a legislative advocacy plan for the assigned issues
• Develops and builds issue champions among PLCPD and non-PLCPD members
• Renders efficient technical support and mobilize legislators in advocacy activities
• Builds and sustains partnerships with civil society stakeholders, legislative committees, executive agencies and international development agencies
• Monitors the movement and support for the assigned bills
• Participates in technical working groups and conducts quick political mapping on priority measures
• Develops advocacy messages and writes press releases, position papers, and policy memos for legislators
• Participates in defining research objectives and contributes in project development and institutional sustainability including writing of project proposals and participation to fundraising activities
• Generates activity and project reports.

Skills and Competencies:

• At least two (2) years experience in policy advocacy work
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Date of posting: 13 February 2019
Deadline of application: 23 February 2019

The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD), a non-government advocacy organization composed of national legislators, is looking for a highly committed individual to fill the position of Media and Communications Officer.

The primary tasks of the Media and Communications Officer are the following:

• development and implementation of information and media campaign plan for legislative advocacies of the institution,
• coordination and networking with media organizations and individuals,
• development of media releases and statements for the organization’s priority issues and advocacy campaigns,
• person-to-person advocacy and provision of technical assistance to PLCPD members and policy champions on matters related to media advocacy,
• assistance in or management of high-impact and creative advocacy activities of the organization, and
• management/implementation of short-term and strategic communication projects and activities of the institution.

Qualifications:

• graduate of Development Communication, Communication Arts, Journalism, or any Social Science course
• has excellent interpersonal skills
• familiar with writing basic media releases (advisory, press briefer, press release)
• proficient in oral and written communications in both English and Filipino
• preferably known in the media circuit or has links with media
• at least two years of experience related to media work
• computer literate

Interested parties may send their letter of application and curriculum vitae until 23 February 2019 (Friday) to: Mr. Romeo C. Dongeto, Executive Director
Email: plcpdfound@plcpd.org.ph (copy: comres@plcpd.org.ph)

Here is the detailed job description and competency requirements for the position.

Shortlisted applicants will be notified by 26 February 2019.

January 23, 2019

On January 23, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly and hastily approved a bill that lowers that minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) from 15 to 12 years old, amending the current Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (JJWA). Senate is expected to also approve of its version soon. The bill is yet another attempt of Congress, under the leadership of Gloria Arroyo and Tito Sotto, and the Duterte Administration to revert all the positive gains under the JJWA and to trample on the rights of the children, the very sector it vows to protect.

Proponents of the bill claim that the proposed law aims to address the problem of children being used by criminal and drug syndicates to carry out criminal activities. Under this bill, children from ages 12 to 18 who commit serious crimes like murder, homicide, rape and violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be sent to reformative institutions called “Bahay Pag-asa.”

International and local groups and organizations advocating for the rights of the children have already expressed their disappointment and fierce opposition to the proposed law, calling it an act of violence against children. Advocates have also expressed their concern on the severe conditions of youth care facilities around the country and their doubt that these could adequately and effectively cater to the needs of the children in conflict with the law (CICL).

The Child Rights Network (CRN) firmly believes that lowering the MACR goes against the best interest of Filipino children. It is not the solution to both the problems of children being involved in and children being used for criminal activities. This proposed measure is anti-poor, anti-human rights, and anti-children. Apart from being plainly absurd, this measure is also unfounded, misguided, and uncalled for. Data from the Philippine National Police show that only 1.72% of reported crimes are committed by children. Furthermore, subjecting these children to the country’s flawed justice system and to the arduous judicial process is utterly inhumane and would traumatize them for the rest of their lives. These children are already victims of the harsh environment and society that they live in. Approving this proposed law will just further victimize them as they would be dehumanized and stigmatized, impeding their rights to survival and development opportunities.

A great deal of studies have shown that criminalizing children leads to recidivism. Detention and/or incarceration of children have also been linked to adverse effects on a child’s mental, physical and emotional development, as they are likely to be subjected to discrimination and abuse while detained. Furthermore, jailing children deny them of opportunities for advancement through education, and future employment. The proposals to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility also ignore scientific evidence that a child’s brain is still structurally and functionally immature and that the brain reaches full maturity at the age of 25.

The Child Rights Network, together with other child’s rights advocacy groups, vehemently opposes the bill and reiterates its call to retain the current MACR. Rather than lowering it, the government should instead focus on strengthening the implementation of the JJWA and on improving the facilities for children in conflict with the law. CRN further believes that rehabilitation is still the more effective and sound solution to the increasing number of child offenders. Evidence shows that these measures are effective in restoring and reintegrating children to the community, as documented by child rights advocates.

CRN also calls on all legislators to address the root causes of the problem instead of targeting the children.

Finally, CRN enjoins everyone to remain vigilant with all the development in the proposed law and to strongly resist all attacks against the rights of the children.

Children are not criminals. The real criminals are those who use and exploit the children to engage in criminal activities. The real criminals are those in the government who blatantly disregard and step on the rights of children in exchange of political gains. These are the real criminals that should be punished and be put in jail.