Prov’l ordinance institutionalizes protection for women
ALARMED by police reports that rape cases increased during the period of the pandemic, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed an ordinance for the establishment of a gender-based and risk-based protocol in handling gender-based violence cases against women in Pangasinan.
An emotional Fifth District Board Member Grace Rosary Perez-Tababa had appealed to her colleagues to support her proposed Provincial Ordinance No. 24, series of 2020, which seeks to create a Provincial Protection Center for Women in Distress and to designate a hotline where women victims may call for help 24/7.
The ordinance was co-authored by First District Board Member Margielou Orange Humilde Verzosa, Philippine Councilors League Provincial President Shiela Perez- Galicia and Fourth District Board Member Jeremey Agerico Rosario.
The proposed ordinance was passed even as Second District Board Member Von Mark Mendoza suggested that the ordinance instead be directed at strengthening the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) that houses the Women and Crisis Center.
Tababa rejected the suggestion, pointing out that the proposed ordinance is specific on the handling of victims when they report to the Provincial Protection Center For Women, effectively institutionalizing the protection of women, including members of the transgender community against rape and violence.
She also expressed hope that her ordinance will encourage cities, towns and barangays to put up their own protection centers for women, the funding of which
can be drawn from the mandatory 5 percent gender and development fund of every local government unit’s budget.
At the same time, Tababa called on barangays to comply with the provisions of the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Act by setting up their own VAWC desks, particularly to issue the Barangay Protection Order to victims of rape and violence.
She said most women victims of violence still go to the police’s Women and Children Desk, not realizing that under the VAWC Act, barangays should have their own VAWC desks.
In batting for the Installation of a Help Hotline, Tababa noted that many cases of rape and violence against women are not being reported because the victims simply do not know what to do and where to go to seek protection. (Leonardo Micua)
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