Restorative Justice in a Multicultural Setting: The Cultural and Social Foundations of Inter-Agency Collaboration in Juvenile Justice and Welfare Programs in Zamboanga City

Abstract

This study assessed juvenile justice and welfare programs in Zamboanga City through a cultural and social science lens, focusing on inter-agency collaboration among the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), Public Attorney's Office (PAO), Philippine National Police (PNP-Women and Children Protection Desk), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). Anchored on restorative justice theory, social learning theory, labeling theory, and cultural relativism, the research evaluated program effectiveness and examined how cultural and social factors shape implementation in a multicultural setting. A descriptive-evaluative design was employed with 61 purposively selected inter-agency respondents within a three-kilometer radius of Zamboanga City proper. A validated researcher-made questionnaire measured effectiveness across seven dimensions: care, guidance and supervision, counseling, probation, foster care, education and vocational training, and other alternatives to institutional care. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, and thematic analysis. Findings revealed high overall effectiveness (M=3.91, SD=0.42), with care (M=3.93) and guidance and supervision (M=3.92) rated highest. Inferential results showed significant differences in perceived effectiveness when grouped by age (F=4.225, p=.009), gender (t=2.03-2.621, p<.05 in selected dimensions), and agency affiliation (F=4.969, p=.002), while ethnicity showed no significant difference, suggesting shared professional culture overrides ethnic differences. The study proposes a Culturally Responsive Inter-Agency Collaborative (CRIAC) Model grounded in Tausug and Chavacano values of family solidarity, mutual help (pagtutulungan), and forgiveness (pagpatawad), integrating community-based accountability and social systems support aligned with Republic Act No. 9344 as amended by RA 10630.