Compliance of barangay council for the Protection of Children on Juvenile Justice Welfare Act: Basis for a comprehensive action plan

Aim: This study aimed to assess the degree of compliance of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (Republic Act No. 9344, as amended) in selected barangays in Caloocan City and to use the findings as a basis for developing a comprehensive action plan to strengthen barangaylevel juvenile justice implementation.Methodology: A quantitative descriptive-comparative research design was employed involving 150 respondents comprising BCPC implementers and parents or guardians of children at risk and children in conflict with the law.Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire covering key compliance domains, problems encountered, and proposed solutions.Weighted means were used for descriptive analysis, while independent samples t-tests were applied to determine significant differences between respondent groups at the 0.05 level of significance.Results: The findings revealed a generally high level of BCPC compliance across major procedural domains, including the filing of complaints, initial contact with the child, intake and initial interview, referral and turnover of custody, intervention, and diversion.Significant differences were observed between implementers and parents' assessments in most compliance areas, except for intervention and diversion, where perceptions converged.Problems encountered were generally rated as less serious, while proposed solutions-particularly capacity building, ICT-based records management, and resource augmentation-were strongly supported by stakeholders.Conclusion: The study concludes that barangay-level juvenile justice mechanisms are largely compliant with legal mandates.However, variations in stakeholder perceptions and persistent operational gaps indicate the need for improved systematization, capacity enhancement, and stronger inter-agency coordination.The findings provide a strong empirical basis for a comprehensive action plan aimed at ensuring consistent, child-centered, and effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act at the barangay level.