ILOILO CITY (PIA) — Village officials and desk officers for Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) in the island province of Guimaras enhanced and strengthened their capabilities for better management of VAWC cases in their areas thru a capacity building activity conducted by the Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC) last July 11 at GUIMELCO Conference Room, San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras.
The activity was designed to equip village chiefs and VAWC Desk Officers with the knowledge on how to properly handle VAWC cases at the barangay level.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Shirly T. Gabutin noted the alarming rate of violence involving women and children that needs immediate intervention of the community.
“Kada tu-ig nagahatag sang pondo sa Provincial Council for the Protection of Children to include sang training sang VAWC Desk kag barangay officials para sa inyo nga level sa barangay indi kamo mabudlayan, mabal-an ninyo paano i-handle ang mga kaso sa barangay,” she added.
(Every year, a fund is provided to the Provincial Council for the Protection of Children to include training of VAWC Desk and barangay officials, so that at your level at the barangay you won’t find it difficult, you will know how to handle the cases at the barangay.)
Gabutin also disclosed plans to amend the Guimaras Children’s Code which will include the provision that the appointed VAWC desk officers should not be barangay officials so that they can focus on the responsibility without distractions.
Sanguniang Panlalawigan Committees on Social Service and Women and Family chair Cecile C. Gumarin shared the actions being taken by the provincial government to strengthen the implementation of the programs related to the protection of VAWC victims.
“Ang province, also ma-approve naman kami sang Guimaras Women and Children Center Operation Manual. Kun may ara nga mga violations sa mga kabataan kag sa mga babayi puwede anay dira sila temporarily hatagan sang shelter for a maximum of seven days. Funded man na siya sang provincial government.” said Gumarin who also chairs the PCPC.
(The province, we will also approve the Guimaras Women and Children Center Operation Manual. If there are violations against children and women they could be given temporary shelter there for a maximum of seven days. It is also funded by the Provincial Government.)
For his part, Executive Assistant III Gerardo Gaitan, who represented Governor JC Rahman A. Nava, said the reduction, if not complete elimination of VAWC cases, is a big challenge for barangay officials.
He emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of children, which is also advocated by the Governor’s “Kabataan FIRST” agenda.
The participants of the activity also manifested their support to the Blue Heart Campaign by signing the pledge of commitment.
Blue Heart Campaign of the United Nations raises awareness around the globe of human trafficking and its impact on people and society. It likewise encourages involvement from governments, civil society, the corporate sector and individuals alike to inspire action and help prevent human trafficking. (LAF/PIA6-Iloilo/Guimaras PIRS)
