DOJ-DSWD sign MOA on referral system for compensation of child-victims

The Department of Justice-Board of Claims (DOJ-BOC) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development on Tuesday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for a referral system for the compensation of child-victims of violent crimes.

According to the DOJ, the MOA will establish a referral system that will aid the processing and delivery of compensation to child-victims under the custody or care of the DSWD.

Child-victims are individuals below 18 years of age, a victim of a violent crime, torture, enforced and involuntary disappearance, trafficking, online sexual abuse or exploitation, and other applicable laws.

Based on the MOA, the DSWD will identify qualified applicants and refer these to the DOJ.

“All expenses borne by each party in the performance of its responsibilities under this MOA shall be its own, unless explicitly agreed to otherwise,” the MOA read.

The parties also agreed to share relevant information with each other.

Meanwhile, the MOA will take effect immediately upon its execution until terminated by either party or by passage of a law explicitly repealing Republic Act 7309 (Act Creating a Board of Claims under the Department of Justice for Victims of Unjust Imprisonment or Detention and Victims of Violent Crimes), which created the BOC.

“This MOA between the DOJ-BOC and the DSWD creates not just a referral system but a bridge of care for those who need it most,” Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said in his speech.

He stressed that justice is not only for the prosecution of offenders.

“It is equally about restitution, rehabilitation, and reaching those who often fall through the cracks of bureaucracy. With this MOA, we are expanding programs reached to cover some of the most vulnerable members of our society,” he said.  — BAP, GMA Integrated News