JICA, DSWD Ink Deal to Establish Gabay Project
Department of Welfare and Social Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Sakamato Takema led the signing of the agreement for the implementation of Establishing the Community-Based Juvenile Intervention Facilitator System for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) and Children at Risk (CAR) or the Gabay Project in the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
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A Child Trust is Ours to Nurture, Inc. (ACTION) Founder and President Hajime Yokota, DSWD Undersecretary for International Affairs, Attached and Supervised Agencies (ASAs) Atty. Emmeline Villar, and Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) Deputy Executive Director Lilibeth Gallego also signed the agreement.
The Gabay Project is a joint transformative program aimed at supporting CICLs and CARs in the Philippines. Established through the partnership of DSWD, JJWC, JICA, and ACTION, this initiative aims to strengthen community-based interventions. Its main objective is to empower local government units (LGUs) by providing them the necessary tools and technical knowledge to implement comprehensive juvenile intervention programs for CICL and CAR.
According to Deputy Executive Director Gallego, this project addresses gaps and challenges by providing individualized and meaningful rehabilitation programs for them. Its main objective is the facilitation of Community-Based Juvenile Intervention Facilitators (CBJIFs) who will offer emotional guidance, diversion programs, job opportunities, and reintegration support suited to the needs of CICLs and CARs in target cities across the country. The project is set to uplift the affected children while mobilizing facilitators across different regions in the Philippines to ensure grassroots involvement and localized solutions. As highlighted during the program’s launch, JICA will oversee the implementation, while partners like Action Incorporated will co-manage activities. “This partnership is about empowering communities to take charge of their youth’s future,” noted DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
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The Gabay Project represents a long-term commitment to sustainable development and inclusive governance. By focusing on capacity building, the program ensures LGUs are not only prepared to address current challenges, but are also capable of addressing problems in the future. “With integrated modules and a strong community support, the Gabay Project lays the groundwork for real, lasting change,” shared ACTION founder Yokota during his speech.
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When asked about the end goal of the Gabay Project, Undersecretary Villar said that it would to adopt an ordinance embodying a comprehensive juvenile intervention program for local government units utilizing financial and technical support from DSWD and their partners in the joint project.
Gabay Project will be initially conducted in the cities of Malabon, Navotas, and Olongapo.
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