LOWERING THE AGE OF CRIMINAL LIABILITY: A SELECTED SECTOR PERCEPTION IN DAGUPAN CITY

Abstract

This study examines the perceptions of key sectors in Dagupan City regarding the controversial proposal to lower the minimum age of criminal liability from the 15-year-old threshold established by Republic Act No. 9344. Driven by the core tension between public safety and child welfare, the study evaluates the policy's perceived impact on crime deterrence, parental accountability, the psychological well-being of the child, and the operational readiness of local rehabilitation facilities. Utilizing a quantitative descriptive-comparative approach, data were gathered from a stratified sample of 208 respondents representing law enforcement, the academe, barangay officials, parents, and religious/NGO groups across Dagupan City. The findings reveal widespread public support for lowering the age of criminal liability, yielding a grand mean of 2.85 ("Agree"). Notably, respondents expressed the highest confidence in the readiness of local rehabilitation facilities, which garnered a sub-mean of 3.27 ("Strongly Agree"). The dimensions of crime deterrence (sub-mean = 3.03) and parental accountability (sub-mean = 2.67) also received positive consensus. Conversely, the psychological impact on the child scored the lowest (sub-mean = 2.43, "Disagree"), indicating that public sentiment heavily prioritizes legal accountability over developmental considerations. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) demonstrated no significant difference in perceptions across the sectors (F = 1.018, p = 0.399), indicating a unified community view. The study concludes with practical recommendations to bolster family-centered interventions, improve Bahay Pag-asa centers, and establish child-sensitive training protocols to maintain a balanced juvenile justice model.